n.
Pronunciation: ' räk
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English rokken, from Old English roccian; akin to Old High German rucken to cause to move
Date: 12th century
transitive verb
1 : to move back and forth in or as if in a cradle
2 a : to cause to sway back and forth <a boat rock ed by the waves> b (1) : to cause to shake violently (2) : to daze with or as if with a vigorous blow <a hard right rock ed the contender> (3) : to astonish or disturb greatly <the scandal rock ed the community>
3 : to rouse to excitement (as by performing rock music) < rock ed the crowd>
intransitive verb
1 : to become moved backward and forward under often violent impact also : to move gently back and forth
2 : to move forward at a steady pace also : to move forward at a high speed <the train rock ed through the countryside>
3 : to sing, dance to, or play rock music
4 slang : to be extremely enjoyable, pleasing, or effective <her new car rock s >
synonyms see SHAKE
– rock the boat : to do something that disturbs the equilibrium of a situation