n.
Pronunciation: ' r ō l
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English rolle, from Anglo-French roule, rolle, from Medieval Latin rolla, alteration of rotula, from Latin, diminutive of rota wheel; akin to Old High German rad wheel, W rhod, Sanskrit ratha wagon
Date: 13th century
1 a (1) : a written document that may be rolled up : SCROLL specifically : a document containing an official or formal record <the roll s of parliament> (2) : a manuscript book b : a list of names or related items : CATALOG c : an official list <the voter roll s >: as (1) : MUSTER ROLL (2) : a list of members of a school or class or of members of a legislative body
2 : something that is rolled up into a cylinder or ball or rounded as if rolled < roll s of fat>: as a : a quantity (as of fabric or paper) rolled up to form a single package b : a hairdo in which some or all of the hair is rolled or curled up or under c : any of various food preparations rolled up for cooking or serving <cabbage roll s > especially : a small piece of baked yeast dough d : a cylindrical twist of tobacco e : a roll of paper on which music for a player piano is recorded in perforations which actuate the keys f : a flexible case (as of leather) in which aritcles may be rolled and fastened by straps or clasps <jewelry roll > g (1) : paper money folded or rolled into a wad (2) slang : BANKROLL
3 : something that performs a rolling action or movement : ROLLER
4 : a wheel for making decorative lines on book covers also : a design impressed by such a tool