Emily Dickinson Lexicon

ROLL, v.t. [D. and G. rollen; Sw. rulla; Dan. ruller; W. rholiaw; Fr. rouler, Arm. ruilha and rolla; It. rullare; Ir. rolam. It is usual to consider this word as formed by contraction from the Latin rotula, a little wheel, from rota, W. rhod, a wheel. But it is against all probability that all the nations of Europe have fallen into such a contraction. Roll is undoubtedly a primitive root, on which have been formed troll and stroll.]

1. To move by turning on the surface, or with a circular motion in which all parts of the surface are successively applied to a plane; as, to roll a barrel or puncheon; to roll a stone or ball. Sisyphus was condemned to roll a stone to the top of a hill, which, when he had done so, rolled down again, and thus his punishment was eternal.
2. To revolve; to turn on its axis; as, to roll a wheel or a planet.
3. To move in a circular direction. To dress, to troll the tongue and roll the eye. – Milton.
4. To wrap round on itself; to form into a circular or cylindrical body; as, to roll a piece of cloth; to roll a sheet of paper; to roll parchment; to roll tobacco.
5. To inwrap; to bind or involve in a bandage or the like. – Wiseman.
6. To form by rolling into round masses. – Peacham.
7. To drive or impel any body with a circular motion, or to drive forward with violence or in a stream. The ocean rolls its billows to the shore. A river rolls its waters to the ocean.
8. To spread with a roller or rolling-pin; as, to roll paste.
9. To produce a periodical revolution. Heav'n shone and roll'd her motions. – Milton.
10. To press or level with a roller; as, to roll a field. To roll one's self, to wallow. – Mic. i.