rock

English

/ɹɒk/, /ɹɑk/

noun
Definitions
  • A formation of minerals, specifically:
  • A large hill or island having no vegetation.
  • (figuratively) Something that is strong, stable, and dependable; a person who provides security or support to another.
  • A lump or cube of ice.
  • (British) A type of confectionery made from sugar in the shape of a stick, traditionally having some text running through its length.
  • (US) A crystallized lump of crack cocaine.
  • (US) An unintelligent person, especially one who repeats mistakes.
  • (South Africa) An Afrikaner.
  • (US) An extremely conservative player who is willing to play only the very strongest hands.
  • Any of several fish:
  • (US) A basketball.
  • (rock paper scissors) A closed hand (a handshape resembling a rock), that beats scissors and loses to paper. It beats lizard and loses to Spock in rock-paper-scissors-lizard-Spock.
  • (informal) A cricket ball, especially a new one that has not been softened by use
  • (CB radio) A crystal used to control the radio frequency.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English rocke (a distaff) inherited from Old English *rocc (rock) derived from roc derived from Latin rocca, *rocca.

Origin

Latin

*rocca

Gloss

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms