Emily Dickinson Lexicon

ROLL, v.i.

1. To move by turning on the surface, or with the successive application of all parts of the surface to a plane; as, a ball or wheel rolls on the earth; a body rolls on an inclined plane.
2. To move, turn or run on an axis; as a wheel. [In this sense, revolve is more generally used.]
3. To run on wheels. And to the rolling chair is bound. – Dryden.
4. To revolve; to perform a periodical revolution; as, the rolling year; ages roll away.
5. To turn; to move circularly. And his red eyeballs roll with living fire. – Dryden.
6. To float in rough water; to be tossed about. Twice ten tempestuous nights I roll'd. – Pope.
7. To move, as waves or billows, with alternate swells and depressions. Waves roll on waves.
8. To fluctuate; to move tumultuously. What diff'rent sorrows did within thee roll. – Prior.
9. To be moved with violence; to be hurled. Down they fell / By thousands, angel on archangel roll'd. – Milton.
10. To be formed into a cylinder or ball; as, the cloth rolls well.
11. To spread under a roller or rolling-pin. The paste rolls well.
12. To wallow; to tumble; as, a horse rolls.
13. To rock or move from side to side; as, a ship rolls in a calm.
14. To beat a drum with strokes so rapid that they can scarcely be distinguished by the ear.