Search results for 'rock':

rock¹ noun 1 geol a loose or consolidated mass of one or more minerals that forms part of the Earth's crust, eg granite, limestone, etc. 2 a large natural mass of this material forming a reef, tor, etc. 3 a large stone or boulder. 4 N Amer, Austral a stone or pebble. 5 someone or something that provides a firm foundation or support and can be depended upon. 6 colloq (often rocks) a cause or source of difficulty, danger or disaster. 7 Brit a hard sweet usually made in the form of long, cylindrical sticks, which is brightly coloured and flavoured with peppermint, etc, often sold at the seaside or in holiday resorts. 8 slang a precious stone, especially a diamond. 9 Can a curling-stone. 10 (rocks) coarse slang the testicles. 11 slang a the drug crack; b a small piece of crack. get one's rocks off 1 coarse slang to achieve sexual gratification, especially to ejaculate. 2 colloq to derive pleasure or excitement • gets his rocks off watching kung fu movies. on the rocks colloq 1 said of a marriage: broken down; failed. 2 said of an alcoholic drink: served with ice cubes. 3 said of a business or firm: in a state of great financial difficulty.
ETYMOLOGY: 14c: from French rocque.

rock² verb (rocked, rocking) 1 tr & intr to sway or make something sway gently backwards and forwards or from side to side • rock the baby to sleep. 2 tr & intr to move or make something move or shake violently. 3 colloq to disturb, upset or shock • The news rocked the sporting world. 4 intrans to dance to or play rock music. noun 1 a rocking movement. 2 (also rock music) a form of popular music with a very strong beat, usually played on electronic instruments and derived from rock and roll. 3 rock and roll. rock the boat to destabilize or disturb something especially unnecessarily or out of spite.
ETYMOLOGY: Anglo-Saxon roccian.