Emily Dickinson Lexicon

ROCK, n.¹ [Fr. roc or roche; It. rocca, a rock, and a distaff; Sp. roca; Port. roca, rocha; Arm. roch; Basque, arroca. Dropping the first letter of crag, rock would seem to be the same word, and so named from breaking and the consequent roughness, corresponding with Gr. ῥαχια, as crag does with crack; Ar. خَرَقَ garaka, to burst, crack, tear, rake. So L. rupes, from the root of rumpo, to break or burst. If this is not the origin of rock, I know not to what root to assign it. See Class Rg, No. 34.]

1. A large mass of stony matter, usually compounded of two or more simple minerals, either bedded in the earth or resting on its surface. Sometimes rocks compose the principal part of huge mountains; sometimes huge rocks lie on the surface of the earth, in detached blocks or masses. Under this term, mineralogists class all mineral substances, coal, gypsum, salt, &c.
2. In Scripture, figuratively, defense; means of safety; protection; strength; asylum. The Lord is my rock. – 2 Sam. xxii.
3. Firmness; a firm or immovable foundation. – Ps. xxvii. Matth. vii. and xvi.
4. A species of vultur or condor. – Encyc.
5. A fabulous bird in the Eastern tales.