Chapter 1355

Dyer's Rocket . (Bot.) See Dyer's broom , under Broom . -- Rocket larkspur (Bot.) , an annual plant with showy flowers in long racemes ( Delphinium Ajacis ). -- Sea rocket (Bot.) , either of two fleshy cruciferous plants ( Cakile maritima and C. Americana ) found on the seashore of Europe and America. -- Yellow rocket (Bot.) , a common cruciferous weed with yellow flowers ( Barbarea vulgaris ).

Rocket <Xpage=1247>

Rock"et (?) , n. [It. rocchetta , fr. rocca a distaff, of German origin. Named from the resemblance in shape to a distaff. See Rock a distaff.] 1. An artificial firework consisting of a cylindrical case of paper or metal filled with a composition of combustible ingredients, as niter, charcoal, and sulphur, and fastened to a guiding stick. The rocket is projected through the air by the force arising from the expansion of the gases liberated by combustion of the composition. Rockets are used as projectiles for various purposes, for signals, and also for pyrotechnic display.

2. A blunt lance head used in the joust.

<-- any flying device propelled by the reactive force of hot gases expelled in the direction opposite its motion. The fuel used to generate the expelled gases in rockets may be solid or liquid; rockets propelled by liquid fuels typically have a combustible fuel (such as hydrogen or kerosene) which is combined inside the rocket engine with an oxidizer, such as liquid oxygen. Single liquid fuels (called monopropellants) are also known. Since rockets do not depend on a surrounding fluid medium to generate their thrust, as do airplanes with propellers or jet engines, they may be used for propulsion in the vacuum of space. -->

Congreve rocket , a powerful form of rocket for use in war, invented by Sir William Congreve. It may be used either in the field or for bombardment; in the former case, it is armed with shells or case shot; in the latter, with a combustible material inclosed in a metallic case, which is inextinguishable when kindled, and scatters its fire on every side.

Rocket <Xpage=1247>

Rock"et , v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Rocketed ; p. pr. & vb. n. Rocketing .] (Sporting) To rise straight up; said of birds; usually in the present participle or as an adjective. [Eng.]

An old cock pheasant came rocketing over me. H. R. Haggard.

Rocketer <Xpage=1247>

Rock"et*er (?) , n. (Sporting) A bird, especially a pheasant, which, being flushed, rises straight in the air like a rocket. [Eng.]

Rockfish <Xpage=1247>

Rock"fish` (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) (a) Any one of several California scorp\'91noid food fishes of the genus Sebastichthys , as the red rockfish ( S. ruber ) . They are among the most important of California market fishes. Called also rock cod , and garrupa . (b) The striped bass . See Bass . (c) Any one of several species of Florida and Bermuda groupers of the genus Epinephelus . (d) An American fresh-water darter; the log perch.

&hand; The term is locally applied to various other fishes.

Rockiness <Xpage=1247>

Rock"i*ness (?) , n. [From Rocky .] The state or quality of being rocky.

Rocking <Xpage=1247>

Rock"ing , a. Having a swaying, rolling, or back-and-forth movement; used for rocking.

Rocking shaft . (Mach.) See Rock shaft .

Rocking-chair <Xpage=1247>

Rock"ing-chair` (?) , n. A chair mounted on rockers, in which one may rock.

Rocking-horse <Xpage=1247>

Rock"ing-horse` (?) , n. The figure of a horse, mounted upon rockers, for children to ride.

Rocking-stone <Xpage=1247>

Rock"ing-stone` (?) , n. A stone, often of great size and weight, resting upon another stone, and so exactly poised that it can be rocked, or slightly moved, with but little force.

Rockless <Xpage=1247>

Rock"less , a. Being without rocks.

Dryden.

Rockling <Xpage=1247>

Rock"ling (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) Any species of small marine fishes of the genera Onos and Rhinonemus (formerly Motella ), allied to the cod. They have three or four barbels.

Rockrose <Xpage=1247>

Rock"rose` (?) , n. (Bot.) A name given to any species of the genus Helianthemum , low shrubs or herbs with yellow flowers, especially the European H. vulgare and the American frostweed, H. Canadense .

Cretan rockrose , a related shrub ( Cistus Creticus ), one of the plants yielding the fragrant gum called ladanum .

Rock shaft <Xpage=1247>

Rock" shaft` (?) . [Cf. Rock , v. i. ] (Mach.) A shaft that oscillates on its journals, instead of revolving, -- usually carrying levers by means of which it receives and communicates reciprocating motion, as in the valve gear of some steam engines; -- called also rocker , rocking shaft , and way shaft .

Rock staff <Xpage=1247>

Rock" staff` (?) . [Cf. Rock , v. i. ] An oscillating bar in a machine, as the lever of the bellows of a forge.

Rocksucker <Xpage=1247>

Rock"suck`er (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) A lamprey.

Rockweed <Xpage=1247>

Rock"weed` (?) , n. (Bot.) Any coarse seaweed growing on sea-washed rocks, especially Fucus.

<page="1248"> Page 1248

Rockwood <Xpage=1248>

Rock"wood` (?) , n. (Min.) Ligniform asbestus; also, fossil wood.

Rockwork <Xpage=1248>

Rock"work` (?) , n. 1. (Arch.) Stonework in which the surface is left broken and rough.

2. (Gardening) A rockery.

Rocky <Xpage=1248>

Rock"y (?) , a. 1. Full of, or abounding in, rocks; consisting of rocks; as, a rocky mountain; a rocky shore .

2. Like a rock; as, the rocky orb of a shield .

Milton.

3. Fig.: Not easily impressed or affected; hard; unfeeling; obdurate; as, a rocky bosom .

Shak.

Rocky Mountain locust (Zo\'94l.) , the Western locust, or grasshopper. See Grasshopper . -- Rocky Mountain sheep . (Zo\'94l.) See Bighorn .

Rocoa <Xpage=1248>

Ro"coa (?) , n. [Cf. F. rocou , roicou , Pg. & Braz, uruc\'a3 .] The orange-colored pulp covering the seeds of the tropical plant Bixa Orellana , from which annotto is prepared. See Annoto .

Rococo <Xpage=1248>

Ro*co"co (?) , n. [F.; of uncertain etymology.] A florid style of ornamentation which prevailed in Europe in the latter part of the eighteenth century.

Rococo <Xpage=1248>

Ro*co"co , a. Of or pertaining to the style called rococo; like rococo; florid; fantastic.

Rod <Xpage=1248>

Rod (?) , n. [The same word as rood . See Rood .] 1. A straight and slender stick; a wand; hence, any slender bar, as of wood or metal (applied to various purposes). Specifically: (a) An instrument of punishment or correction; figuratively, chastisement.

He that spareth his rod hateth his son. Prov. xiii. 24.

(b) A kind of sceptor, or badge of office; hence, figuratively, power; authority; tyranny; oppression . "The rod , and bird of peace." Shak . (c) A support for a fishing line; a fish pole . Gay . (d) (Mach. & Structure) A member used in tension, as for sustaining a suspended weight, or in tension and compression, as for transmitting reciprocating motion, etc.; a connecting bar. (e) An instrument for measuring .

2. A measure of length containing sixteen and a half feet; -- called also perch , and pole .

Black rod . See in the Vocabulary. -- Rods and cones (Anat.) , the elongated cells or elements of the sensory layer of the retina, some of which are cylindrical, others somewhat conical.

Roddy <Xpage=1248>

Rod"dy (?) , a. Full of rods or twigs.

Roddy <Xpage=1248>

Rod"dy , a. Ruddy. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Rode <Xpage=1248>

Rode (?) , n. [See Rud .] Redness; complexion. [Obs.] "His rode was red."

Chaucer.

Rode <Xpage=1248>

Rode , imp. of Ride .

Rode <Xpage=1248>

Rode , n. See Rood , the cross. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Rodent <Xpage=1248>

Ro"dent (?) , a. [L. rodens , -entis , p. pr. of rodere to gnaw. See Rase , v. t. , and cf. Rostrum .] 1. Gnawing; biting; corroding; (Med.) applied to a destructive variety of cancer or ulcer.

2. (Zo\'94l.) (a) Gnawing. (b) Of or pertaining to the Rodentia.

Rodent <Xpage=1248>

Ro"dent , n. (Zo\'94l.) One of the Rodentia.

Rodentia <Xpage=1248>

Ro*den"ti*a (?) , n. pl. [NL. See Rodent , a. ] (Zo\'94l.) An order of mammals having two (rarely four) large incisor teeth in each jaw, distant from the molar teeth. The rats, squirrels, rabbits, marmots, and beavers belong to this order.

&hand; The incisor teeth are long, curved, and strongly enameled on the outside, so as to keep a cutting edge. They have a persistent pulp and grow continuously.

Rodeo <Xpage=1248>

Ro*de"o (?) , n. [SP., a going round.] A round-up. See Round-up . [Western U.S.]

Rodge <Xpage=1248>

Rodge (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) The gadwall. [Prov.Eng.]

Rodomel <Xpage=1248>

Rod"o*mel (?) , n. [Gr. <?/<?/<?/ rose + <?/<?/<?/ honey.] Juice of roses mixed with honey.

Simmonds.

Rodomont <Xpage=1248>

Rod"o*mont (?) , n. [F. rodomont , It. rodomonte , fr. Rodomonte , Rodamonte , a boasting hero in the "Orlando Furioso" of Ariosto, and the "Orlando Innamorato" of Bojardo; properly, one who rolls away mountains; Prov. It. rodare to roll away (fr. L. rota a wheel) + It. monte a mountain, L. mons . See Rotary , Mount , n. ] A vain or blustering boaster; a braggart; a braggadocio.

Sir T. Herbert.

Rodomont <Xpage=1248>

Rod"o*mont , a. Bragging; vainly boasting.

Rodomontade <Xpage=1248>

Rod`o*mon*tade" (?) , n. [F., fr. It. rodomontana . See Rodomont , n. ] Vain boasting; empty bluster or vaunting; rant.

I could show that the rodomontades of Almanzor are neither so irrational nor impossible. Dryden.

Rodomontade <Xpage=1248>

Rod`o*mon*tade" , v. i. To boast; to brag; to bluster; to rant.

Rodomontadist <Xpage=1248>

Rod`o*mon*tad"ist (?) , n. One who boasts.

Rodomontado <Xpage=1248>

Rod`o*mon*ta"do (?) , n. Rodomontade.

Rodomontador <Xpage=1248>

Rod`o*mon*ta"dor (?) , n. A rodomontadist.

Rodsman <Xpage=1248>

Rods"man (?) , n. ; pl. Rodsmen (<?/) . One who carries and holds a leveling staff, or rod, in a surveying party.

G. W. Cable.

Rody <Xpage=1248>

Ro"dy (?) , a. Ruddy. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Roe <Xpage=1248>

Roe (?) , n. [OE. ro , AS. r\'beh ; akin to D. ree , G. reh , Icel. r\'be , SW. r\'86 .] (Zo\'94l.) (a) A roebuck. See Roebuck . (b) The female of any species of deer.

Roe <Xpage=1248>

Roe , n. [For roan , OE. rowne , akin to G. rogen , OHG. rogan , Icel. hrogn , Dan. rogn , ravn , Sw. rom ; of uncertain origin; cf. Gr. <?/<?/<?/ pebble, Skr. <?/arkar\'be gravel.] 1. (Zo\'94l.) The ova or spawn of fishes and amphibians, especially when still inclosed in the ovarian membranes. Sometimes applied, loosely, to the sperm and the testes of the male.

2. A mottled appearance of light and shade in wood, especially in mahogany.

Roebuck <Xpage=1248>

Roe"buck` (?) , n. [1st roe + buck .] (Zo\'94l.) A small European and Asiatic deer ( Capreolus capr\'91a ) having erect, cylindrical, branched antlers, forked at the summit. This, the smallest European deer, is very nimble and graceful. It always prefers a mountainous country, or high grounds.

Roed <Xpage=1248>

Roed (?) , a. (Zo\'94l.) Filled with roe.

Roedeer <Xpage=1248>

Roe"deer` (?) , n. (Zo\'94l.) The roebuck.

Roestone <Xpage=1248>

Roe"stone` (?) , n. (Min.) Same as O\'94lite .

Rogation <Xpage=1248>

Ro*ga"tion (?) , n. [L. rogatio , fr. rogare , rogatum , to ask, beg, supplicate: cf. F. rogation . Cf. Abrogate , Arrogant , Probogue .] 1. (Rom. Antiq.) The demand, by the consuls or tribunes, of a law to be passed by the people; a proposed law or decree.

2. (Eccl.) Litany; supplication.

He perfecteth the rogations or litanies before in use. Hooker.

Rogation days (Eccl.) , the three days which immediately precede Ascension Day ; -- so called as being days on which the people, walking in procession, sang litanies of special supplication. -- Rogation flower (Bot.) , a European species of milkwort ( Polygala vulgaris ); -- so called from its former use for garlands in Rogation week. Dr. Prior . -- Rogation week , the second week before Whitsunday, in which the Rogation days occur.

Rogatory <Xpage=1248>

Rog"a*to*ry (?) , a. [See Rogation .] Seeking information; authorized to examine witnesses or ascertain facts; as, a rogatory commission .

Woolsey.

Rogue <Xpage=1248>

Rogue (?) , n. [F. rogue proud, haughty, supercilious; cf. Icel. hr<?/kr a rook, croaker (cf. Rook a bird), or Armor. rok , rog , proud, arogant.] 1. (Eng.Law) A vagrant; an idle, sturdy beggar; a vagabond; a tramp.

&hand; The phrase rogues and vagabonds is applied to a large class of wandering, disorderly, or dissolute persons. They were formerly punished by being whipped and having the gristle of the right ear bored with a hot iron.

2. A deliberately dishonest person; a knave; a cheat.

The rogue and fool by fits is fair and wise. Pope.

3. One who is pleasantly mischievous or frolicsome; hence, often used as a term of endearment.

Ah, you sweet little rogue , you! Shak.

4. An elephant that has separated from a herd and roams about alone, in which state it is very savage.

5. (Hort.) A worthless plant occuring among seedlings of some choice variety.

Rogues' gallery , a collection of portraits of rogues or criminals, for the use of the police authorities. -- Rogue's march , derisive music performed in driving away a person under popular indignation or official sentence, as when a soldier is drummed out of a regiment. -- Rogue's yarn , yarn of a different twist and color from the rest, inserted into the cordage of the British navy, to identify it if stolen, or for the purpose of tracing the maker in case of defect. Different makers are required to use yarns of different colors.

Rogue <Xpage=1248>

Rogue , v. i. To wander; to play the vagabond; to play knavish tricks. [Obs.]

Spenser.

Rogue <Xpage=1248>

Rogue , v. t. 1. To give the name or designation of rogue to; to decry. [Obs.]

Cudworth.

2. (Hort.) To destroy (plants that do not come up to a required standard).

Roguery <Xpage=1248>

Rogu"er*y (?) , n. 1. The life of a vargant. [Obs.]

2. The practices of a rogue; knavish tricks; cheating; fraud; dishonest practices.

'Tis no scandal grown, For debt and roguery to quit the town. Dryden.

3. Arch tricks; mischievousness.

Rogueship <Xpage=1248>

Rogue"ship (?) , n. The quality or state of being a rogue. [Jocose] "Your rogueship ."

Dryden.

Roguish <Xpage=1248>

Rogu"ish , a. 1. Vagrant. [Obs.]

Spenser.

His roguish madness Allows itself to anything. Shak.

2. Resembling, or characteristic of, a rogue; knavish.

3. Pleasantly mischievous; waggish; arch.

The most bewitching leer with her eyes, the most roguish cast. Dryden.

-- Rogu"ish*ly , adv. -- Rogu"ish*ness , n .

Roguy <Xpage=1248>

Rogu"y (?) , a. Roguish. [Obs.]

L'Estrange.

Rohob <Xpage=1248>

Ro"hob (?) , n. An inspissated juice. See Rob .

Roial <Xpage=1248>

Roi"al (?) , a. Royal. [Obs.]

Chaucer.

Roil <Xpage=1248>

Roil (?) , v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Roiled ; p. pr. & vb. n. Roiling .] [Cf. OE. roilen to wander; possibly fr. OF. roeler to roll, equiv. to F. rouler . See Roll , v. , and cf. Rile .] 1. To render turbid by stirring up the dregs or sediment of; as, to roil wine, cider, etc. , in casks or bottles; to roil a spring.

2. To disturb, as the temper; to ruffle the temper of; to rouse the passion of resentment in; to perplex.

That his friends should believe it, was what roiled him [Judge Jeffreys] exceedingly. R. North.

&hand; Provincial in England and colloquial in the United States. A commoner, but less approved, form is rile .

Roil <Xpage=1248>

Roil , v. i. 1. To wander; to roam. [Obs.]

2. To romp. [Prov.Eng.]

Halliwell.

Roily <Xpage=1248>

Roil"y (?) , a. Turbid; as, roily water .

Roin <Xpage=1248>

Roin (?) , v. t. See Royne . [Obs.]

Roin <Xpage=1248>

Roin , n. [F. rogne . See Roynish .] A scab; a scurf, or scurfy spot. [Obs.]

Roinish <Xpage=1248>

Roin"ish , a. See Roynish . [Obs.]

Roint <Xpage=1248>

Roint (?) , interj. See Aroint .

Roist <Xpage=1248>

Roist (?) , v. i. See Roister .

Roister <Xpage=1248>

Roist"er (?) , v. i. [Probably fr. F. rustre boor, a clown, clownish, fr. L. rustucus rustic. See Rustic .] To bluster; to swagger; to bully; to be bold, noisy, vaunting, or turbulent.

I have a roisting challenge sent amongst The dull and factious nobles of the Greeks. Shak.

Roister <Xpage=1248>

Roist"er (?) , n. See Roisterer .

Roisterer <Xpage=1248>

Roist"er*er (?) , n. A blustering, turbulent fellow.

If two roisterers met, they cocked their hats in each other faces. Macaulay.

Roisterly <Xpage=1248>

Roist"er*ly , a. Blustering; violent. [R.]

Roisterly <Xpage=1248>

Roist"er*ly , adv. In a roistering manner. [R.]

Rokambole <Xpage=1248>

Rok"am*bole (?) , n. See Rocambole .

Roke <Xpage=1248>