See Also: rock(encyclopedia)
rock art(encyclopedia)
rock(1)(dictionary)
rock(2)(dictionary)
rock(3)(dictionary)
rock(5)(dictionary)
Little Rock(tourism)
rock-a-bye(dictionary)
Little Rock(encyclopedia)
Little Rock(dictionary)

rock(4) (iou)



rock verb1.
[Late Old English roccian, prob. from Germanic base meaning 'move, remove', repr. also by Middle Low German, Middle Dutch rukken, rocken (Dutch rukken), Old High German rucchan (German rucken move, push), Old Norse rykkja pull, tug.]
verb trans. Move (esp. a person or cradle) gently to and fro; bring to or into a state of sleep or rest by this means. LOE.
J. Steinbeck He rocked himself back and forth in his sorrow. H. E. Bates She pushed the pram, rocking it up and down.
verb trans. Cause to sway to and fro or from side to side. ME
Sunday Mail (New Delhi) Two bomb blasts rocked a students' meeting.
verb intrans.
a. Sway to and fro under some impact or stress; shake, vibrate; dial. stagger, reel. LME.
G. A. Birmingham The Major started so violently that the punt rocked. P. Angadi Maggie and Mum rocked with laughter.
b. Swing oneself to and fro, esp. while sitting in a rocking-chair. L18.
J. C. Oates She wept, rocking from side to side.
verb intrans.
a. Of popular music: possess a strong beat, esp. in 2/4 or 4/4 time; exhibit the characteristics of rock music. M20.
b. Dance vigorously to or perform such music. M20.
verb trans. Distress, perturb; surprise, dumbfound. colloq. M20.
Observer New sex scandals rock Washington.
Phrases: rock along US colloq. continue in typical fashion. rock out colloq. perform rock music loudly and vigorously; enjoy oneself enthusiastically, esp. by dancing to rock music. rock the boat disturb the equilibrium of a situation.