n. & v.
--n. (pl. roofs or disp. rooves)
1. a the upper covering of a building, usu. supported by its walls. b the top of a covered vehicle. c the top inner surface of an oven, refrigerator, etc.
2 the overhead rock in a cave or mine etc.
3 the branches or the sky etc. overhead.
4 (of prices etc.) the upper limit or ceiling.
--v.tr.
1. (often foll. by in, over) cover with or as with a roof.
2 be the roof of.
Phrases and idioms:
go through the roof colloq. (of prices etc.) reach extreme or unexpected heights. hit (or go through or raise) the roof colloq. become very angry. roof-garden a garden on the flat roof of a building. roof of the mouth the palate. a roof over one's head somewhere to live. roof-rack a framework for carrying luggage etc. on the roof of a vehicle. roof-tree the ridge-piece of a roof. under one roof in the same building. under a person's roof in a person's house (esp. with ref. to hospitality).
Derivatives:
roofed adj. (also in comb.). roofless adj.
Etymology: OE hrof