~ 1
■ noun
1》 the hard mineral material of the earth's crust, exposed on the surface or underlying the soil.
↘a mass of this projecting out of the ground or water.
↘( the Rock ) Gibraltar.
↘a boulder.
↘ N. Amer. a stone of any size.
2》 Geology any natural material with a distinctive mineral composition.
3》 Brit. a kind of hard confectionery in the form of cylindrical peppermint-flavoured sticks.
4》 informal a diamond or other precious stone.
5》 informal a small piece of crack cocaine.
6》 ( ~s ) vulgar slang a man's testicles.
Phrases
between a ~ and a hard place informal faced with two equally difficult alternatives.
get one's ~s off vulgar slang have an orgasm.
on the ~s informal
1》 experiencing difficulties and likely to fail.
2》 (of a drink) served undiluted and with ice cubes.
Derivatives
~less adjective
~-like adjective
Origin
ME: from OFr. rocque , from med. L. rocca .
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~ 2
■ verb
1》 move gently to and fro or from side to side.
↘shake, especially because of an earthquake or explosion.
2》 cause great shock or distress to.
3》 informal dance to or play ~ music.
4》 informal (of a place) be exciting or full of social activity.
■ noun
1》 (also ~ music ) a form of popular music derived from ~ and roll and pop music but characterized by a more serious approach.
↘~ and roll.
2》 a ~ing movement.
Origin
OE roccian , prob. from a Gmc base meaning 'remove, move'.