n.
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French rouler, roller, from roele wheel, rowel & roule roll
Date: 14th century
transitive verb
1 a : to impel forward by causing to turn over and over on a surface b : to cause to revolve by turning over and over on or as if on an axis c : to cause to move in a circular manner <they roll ed their eyes at the absurdity> d : to form into a mass by turning over and over e : to impel forward with an easy continuous motion f : to cause to move in a given direction by or as if by turning a crank < roll ed down the window>
2 a : to put a wrapping around : ENFOLD , ENVELOP b : to wrap round on itself : shape into a ball or roll < roll ed up the newspaper> also : to produce by such shaping < roll ed his own cigarettes>
3 : to press, spread, or level with a roller : make smooth, even, or compact <hulled and roll ed oats> < roll paint> ― often used with out < roll ed out the dough>
4 a : to move on rollers or wheels < roll ed the patient into the operating room> b : to cause to begin operating or moving < roll the cameras>
5 a : to sound with a full reverberating tone < roll ed out the words> b : to make a continuous beating sound upon : sound a roll upon < roll ed their drums> c : to utter with a trill < roll ed his r 's> d : to play (a chord) in arpeggio style
6 : to combine so as to comprise one entity ― usually used in the phrase rolled into one <a shopping center, amusement park, and nightclub all roll ed into one>
7 : to rob (a drunk, sleeping, or unconscious person) usually by going through the pockets broadly : ROB
8 : BOWL 1
intransitive verb
1 a : to move along a surface by rotation without sliding b (1) : to turn over and over <the children roll ed in the grass> (2) : to luxuriate in an abundant supply : WALLOW <fairly roll ing in money>
2 a : to move onward or around as if by completing a revolution : ELAPSE , PASS <the months roll on> b : to shift the gaze continually <eyes roll ing in terror> c : to revolve on an axis
3 : to move about : ROAM , WANDER
4 a : to go forward in an easy, gentle, or undulating manner <the waves roll ed in> b : to flow in a continuous stream : POUR <money was roll ing in> c : to flow as part of a stream of words or sounds <the names roll off your tongue> d : to have an undulating contour < roll ing prairie> e : to lie extended : STRETCH
5 a : to travel in a vehicle < roll ing north on the highway> b : to become carried on a stream c : to move on wheels
6 a : to make a deep reverberating sound <the thunder roll s > b : TRILL
7 a : to swing from side to side <the ship heaved and roll ed > b : to walk with a swinging gait : SWAY
8 a : to take the form of a cylinder or ball b : to respond to rolling in a specified way
9 a : to get under way : begin to move or operate b : to move forward : develop and maintain impetus <the project finally got roll ing > especially : to proceed or progress with notable ease or success <the team was roll ing >
10 : to execute a somersault
11 of a football quarterback : to run toward one flank usually parallel to the line of scrimmage especially before throwing a pass ― often used with out
– roll the bones : to shoot craps
– roll the dice : to assume a risk by taking action < rolled the dice when they bought those stocks>
– roll with the punches
1 : to move so as to lessen the impact of blows
2 : to adjust to things as they happen