rocket
rocket (räk′it)
noun
- any of various devices, typically cylindrical, containing liquid or solid propellants which when ignited produce hot gases or ions that escape through a rear vent and drive the container forward by the principle of reaction: simple rockets are used mainly as fireworks, signals, and projectile weapons, while more complex rockets are used to propel guided missiles, ballistic missiles, and spacecraft
- a spacecraft, missile, probe, etc. propelled by a rocket
Etymology: It rocchetta, spool or bobbin, rocket, orig. dim. of rocca, distaff < OHG roccho, distaff: from the resemblance in shape
intransitive verb
- to go like a rocket; dart ahead swiftly
- to travel in a rocket
- to soar; rise rapidly prices rocketed
transitive verb
- to convey in a rocket
- to attack by firing a rocket at
- to propel with or as with sudden force a hit song rocketing a singer to stardom
rocket (räk′it)
noun
- any of various plants of the crucifer family, with white, yellow, pink, or purple flowers; esp., sea rocket (genus Cakile) found along seashores in Europe and North America
- arugulaalso rocket salad
- dame's violet
Etymology: Fr roquette < It rochetta, var. of ruchetta, dim. < ruca, rocket < L eruca, kind of colewort
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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