rock

rock¹ / räk/ • n. 1. the solid mineral material forming part of the surface of the earth and other similar planets, exposed on the surface or underlying the soil or oceans. ∎  a mass of such material projecting above the earth's surface or out of the sea: there are dangerous rocks around the island. ∎ Geol. any natural material, hard or soft (e.g., clay), having a distinctive mineral composition. ∎  (the Rock) Gibraltar. ∎  (the Rock) informal name for Newfoundland¹ . 2. a large piece of such material that has become detached from a cliff or mountain; a boulder: the stream flowed through a jumble of rocks. ∎  a stone of any size, esp. one small enough to be picked up and used as a projectile. ∎  Brit. a kind of hard confectionery in the form of cylindrical peppermint-flavored sticks. ∎  inf. a precious stone, esp. a diamond. ∎  inf. a small piece of crack cocaine. ∎  (rocks) vulgar slang testicles. 3. used in similes and metaphors to refer to someone or something that is extremely strong, reliable, or hard: imagining himself as the last rock of civilization being swept over by a wave of barbarism. ∎  (usu. rocks) (esp. with allusion to shipwrecks) a source of danger or destruction: the new system is heading for the rocks. 4. (rocks) inf., dated money. PHRASES: between a rock and a hard place inf. in a situation where one is faced with two equally difficult alternatives. get one's rocks off vulgar slang have an orgasm. ∎  obtain pleasure or satisfaction. on the rocks inf. 1. (of a relationship or enterprise) experiencing difficulties and likely to fail. 2. (of a drink) served undiluted and with ice cubes. DERIVATIVES: rock·less adj. rock·like / -ˌlīk/ adj. rock² • v. 1. [tr.] cause (someone or something) to move gently to and fro or from side to side: she rocked the baby in her arms. ∎  [intr.] move in such a way: the vase rocked back and forth on its base | [as adj.] (rocking) the rocking movement of the boat. ∎  (with reference to a building or region) shake or cause to shake or vibrate, esp. because of an impact, earthquake, or explosion: [tr.] a terrorist blast rocked a Tube station | [intr.] the building began to rock on its foundations. ∎  cause great shock or distress to (someone or something), esp. so as to weaken or destabilize them or it: diplomatic upheavals that rocked the British Empire. 2. [intr.] inf. dance to or play rock music. ∎ fig. (of a place) have an atmosphere of excitement or much social activity: the new town really rocks | [as adj.] (rocking) a rocking resort. • n. 1. rock music: [as adj.] a rock star. ∎  rock and roll. 2. [in sing.] a gentle movement to and fro or from side to side: she placed the baby in the cradle and gave it a rock. PHRASES: rock the boat see boat.PHRASAL VERBS: rock out inf. perform rock music loudly and vigorously. ∎  enjoy oneself in an enthusiastic and uninhibited way, esp. by dancing to rock music.