Roll, v. i.
1. To move, as a curved object may, along a surface by rotation without sliding; to revolve upon an axis; to turn over and over; as, a ball or wheel rolls on the earth; a body rolls on an inclined plane.
And her foot, look you, is fixed upon a spherical stone, which rolls, and rolls, and rolls. --Shak.
2. To move on wheels; as, the carriage rolls along the street. “The rolling chair.”
3. To be wound or formed into a cylinder or ball; as, the cloth rolls unevenly; the snow rolls well.
4. To fall or tumble; -- with over; as, a stream rolls over a precipice.
5. To perform a periodical revolution; to move onward as with a revolution; as, the rolling year; ages roll away.
6. To turn; to move circularly.
And his red eyeballs roll with living fire. --Dryden.
7. To move, as waves or billows, with alternate swell and depression.
What different sorrows did within thee roll. --Prior.
8. To incline first to one side, then to the other; to rock; as, there is a great difference in ships about rolling; in a general semse, to be tossed about.
Twice ten tempestuous nights I rolled. --Pope.
9. To turn over, or from side to side, while lying down; to wallow; as, a horse rolls.
10. To spread under a roller or rolling-pin; as, the paste rolls well.
11. To beat a drum with strokes so rapid that they can scarcely be distinguished by the ear.
12. To make a loud or heavy rumbling noise; as, the thunder rolls.
To roll about, to gad abroad. [Obs.]
Man shall not suffer his wife go roll about. --Chaucer.