I. ˈrōliŋ, -lēŋ noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from gerund of rollen, rolen to roll — more at roll
: an act, action, or effect of one that rolls
II. adjective
Etymology: from present participle of roll (II)
1.
a. : rotating on or as if on an axis or moving along a surface by rotation
rolling wheels
b. : moving on wheels or rollers
this leaves only forty feet, or three lanes for rolling traffic — J.M.Lawrence
2.
a. : moving from side to side or up and down
rolling eyes
b. : swinging from side to side : lurching, swaying
a rolling gait
3. : turned over upon or toward itself : coiling
a rolling hat brim
brought him a rolling Byronic collar — W.A.White
4.
a. : resounding , reverberating
see the splintering lightning, and hear the rolling thunder — Phoenix Flame
the traditional rolling phrases of the American declamatory style — Time
b. : trilled
rolling notes
5.
a.
(1) : surging on or rising upward in billows or rolls
the rolling sea
the rolling fog
(2) : moving in waves : progressing or acting in stages : staggered
the economy was going through a rolling adjustment in which first one industry and then another was affected
b. : having gradual rounded undulations of surface
ahead of us was a rolling green plain, with dark mountains beyond it — Ernest Hemingway
rolling hills
6. : coming in regular rotation : recurring
the rolling seasons
the rolling years
• roll·ing·ly adverb