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The Collaborative International Dictionary
To roll about

Roll \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.''
    --Dryden.

  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.