/ ˈrɒkɪt; NAmE ˈrɑːkɪt/ noun , verb
■ noun
1.
[ C ] a spacecraft in the shape of a tube that is driven by a stream of gases let out behind it when fuel is burned inside :
a space rocket
The rocket was launched in March 1980.
The idea took off like a rocket (= it immediately became popular) .
2.
[ C ] a missile (= a weapon that travels through the air) that carries a bomb and is driven by a stream of burning gases :
a rocket attack
3.
[ C ] a firework that goes high into the air and then explodes with coloured lights
4.
[ U ] ( BrE ) ( NAmE aru·gula ) a plant with long green leaves that have a strong flavour and are eaten raw in salads
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IDIOMS
- to give sb a rocket | to get a rocket
■ verb
1.
[ v ] to increase very quickly and suddenly
SYN shoot up :
rocketing prices
Unemployment has rocketed up again.
The total has rocketed from 376 to 532.
2.
[ v + adv. / prep. ] to move very fast :
The car rocketed out of a side street.
3.
to achieve or to make sb/sth achieve a successful position very quickly :
[ v ]
The band rocketed to stardom with their first single.
[also vn ]
4.
[ vn ] to attack a place with rockets
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WORD ORIGIN
noun senses 1 to 3 and verb early 17th cent.: from French roquette , from Italian rocchetto , diminutive of rocca distaff (for spinning), with reference to its cylindrical shape.
noun sense 4 late 15th cent.: from French roquette , from Italian ruchetta , diminutive of ruca , from Latin eruca downy-stemmed plant.