1a cylinder formed by winding flexible material around a tube or by turning it over and over on itself without folding:a roll of carpet
a cylindrical mass of something or a number of items arranged in a cylindrical shape:a roll of mints
[with modifier] an item of food that is made by wrapping a flat sheet of pastry, cake, meat, or fish round a sweet or savoury filling:salmon and rice rolls
North American & Australian a quantity of banknotes rolled together:I should eat out, enjoy the fat roll I’d taken out of my account
2a movement in which someone or something turns or is turned over on itself:a roll of the dice
a gymnastic exercise in which the body is rolled into a tucked position and turned in a forward or backward circle:a forward roll
a complete rotation by a flying aircraft about its longitudinal axis.
[mass noun] a swaying or oscillation of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle around an axis parallel to the direction of motion:the car corners capably with a minimum of roll
3a prolonged, deep, reverberating sound:thunder exploded, roll after roll
Music one of the basic patterns (rudiments) of drumming, consisting of a sustained, rapid alternation of single or double strokes of each stick.
4a very small loaf of bread:a bacon roll
5an official list or register of names:the school had no one by his name on its roll
the total number of names on a roll:a review of secondary schools to assess the effects of falling rolls
a document, typically an official record, historically kept in scroll form.
6 [mass noun] undulation of the landscape:hidden by the roll of the land was a refinery
7a roller for flattening something, especially one used to shape metal in a rolling mill.
ზმნა
Universal
1move in a particular direction by turning over and over on an axis: [no object, with adverbial of direction]:the car rolled down into a ditch [with object and adverbial of direction]:she rolled the ball across the floor
turn over to face a different direction: [no object, with adverbial]:she rolled on to her side [with object and adverbial]:they rolled him over on to his back
[with object] turn (one’s eyes) upwards, typically to show surprise or disapproval:Sarah rolled her eyes to the ceiling
[no object, with adverbial] lie down and turn over and over while remaining in the same place:the buffalo rolled in the dust
[no object] (of a moving ship, aircraft, or vehicle) rock or oscillate around an axis parallel to the direction of motion:the ship pitched and rolled
[no object, with adverbial] move along or from side to side unsteadily or uncontrollably:they were rolling about with laughter
[with object]North American informal overturn (a vehicle):he rolled his Mercedes in a 100 mph crash
[with object] throw (a die or dice):he put all his chips on the table and rolled the dice
[with object] obtain (a particular score) by throwing a die or dice:roll a 2, 3, or 12
2 [no object, with adverbial of direction] (of a vehicle) move or run on wheels:the van was rolling along the lane
[with object and adverbial of direction] move or push (a wheeled object):Pat rolled the trolley to and fro
(roll something up/down) make a car window or a window blind move up or down by turning a handle:do not roll down the window to give a stranger directions
(of a drop of liquid) flow:huge tears rolled down her cheeks
(of time) elapse steadily:the years rolled by
(roll off) (of a product) issue from (an assembly line or machine):the first copies of the newspaper rolled off the presses
(of waves, smoke, cloud, or fog) move or flow forward with an undulating motion:the fog rolled across the fields
[no object] (of land) extend in gentle undulations.
[no object] (of credits for a film or television programme) be displayed as if moving on a roller up the screen:the end credits rolled and the title came up
(with reference to a machine, device, or system) operate or begin operating: [no object]:the cameras started to roll [with object]:roll the camera
[no object] informal start moving; take action: the coast’s clear—let’s roll
[no object] informal behave in a particular way:that’s just how I roll, guys—I’ll smile until I physically can’t
3 [with object and adverbial] turn (something flexible) over and over on itself to form a cylinder, tube, or ball:she started to roll up her sleeping bag
[with object] (roll something up (or back)) fold the edge of a garment over on itself a number of times to shorten it:she rolled up her sleeves to wash her hands
[with object] make (something) by forming material into a cylinder or ball: [with two objects]:Harry rolled himself a joint
[no object, with adverbial] curl up tightly:the shock made the hedgehog roll into a ball
4 [with object and adverbial] flatten (something) by passing a roller over it or by passing it between rollers:roll out the dough on a floured surface
5 [no object, with adverbial of direction] (of a loud, deep sound) reverberate:the first peals of thunder rolled across the sky
[with object] pronounce (a consonant, typically an r) with a trill:when he wanted to emphasize a point he rolled his rrrs
[with object] utter (a word or words) with a reverberating or vibratory effect:he rolled the word around his mouth
(of words) flow effortlessly or mellifluously:the names of his colleagues rolled off his lips
6 informal rob (someone, typically when they are intoxicated or asleep):if you don’t get drunk, you don’t get rolled
a roll in the hay (or the sack)
informal an act of sexual intercourse.
be rolling in it (or in money)
informal be very rich:he was a tycoon and must have been rolling in money
on a roll
informal experiencing a prolonged spell of success or good luck:the organization is on a roll
rolled into one
(of characteristics drawn from different people or things) combined in one person or thing:banks are several businesses rolled into one
rolling drunk
so drunk as to be swaying or staggering:two blokes coming out of a pub rolling drunk
rolling in the aisles
informal (of an audience) laughing uncontrollably:the new comedy series had them rolling in the aisles
roll of honour
British a list of people whose deeds or achievements are honoured, or who have died in battle.
roll one's own
informal make one’s own cigarettes from loose tobacco.
roll up one's sleeves
prepare to fight or work:my father said he would roll up his sleeves and take on anyone who laid a finger on us
roll with the punches
(of a boxer) move one’s body away from an opponent’s blows so as to lessen the impact.
adapt oneself to adverse circumstances.
strike someone off the roll
British debar a solicitor from practising as a penalty for dishonesty or other misconduct.
roll something back
reverse the progress or reduce the power or importance of something:the public sector of the economy has been rolled back
roll in
informal
1be received in large amounts:the money was rolling in
2casually arrive at a place late:Steve rolled in about lunchtime
roll on
[in imperative]British informal used to indicate that one wants a particular time or event to come quickly:roll on January!
roll something out
officially launch or introduce a new product or service:the firm rolled out its newest generation of supercomputers
roll something over
Finance contrive or extend a particular financial arrangement:this is not a good time for rolling over corporate debt
British carry over prize money in a lottery from one draw to the next, typically because the jackpot has not been won.
roll up
informal arrive:we rolled up at the same time
[in imperative] used to encourage passers-by to look at or participate in something, typically at a fairground:roll up, roll up, for all the fun of the fair
roll something up
Military drive the flank of an enemy line back and round so that the line is shortened or surrounded.
