rocket
1[ rok-it ]
/ ˈrɒk ɪt /
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noun
verb (used with object)
to move or transport by means of a rocket.
to attack with rockets.
verb (used without object)
to move like a rocket.
(of game birds) to fly straight up rapidly when flushed.
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Origin of rocket
11605–15; <Italian rocchetta, diminutive of rocca distaff (with reference to its shape) <Gothic *rukka
OTHER WORDS FROM rocket
rock·et·like, adjectiveWords nearby rocket
rocker, rocker arm, rocker cam, rocker panel, rockery, rocket, rocket airplane, rocket bomb, rocketeer, rocket engine, rocket gun
Definition for rocket (2 of 2)
rocket2
[ rok-it ]
/ ˈrɒk ɪt /
noun
any of various plants belonging to the genus Hesperis, of the mustard family, and related genera.Compare dame's rocket.
Also called rocket salad, roquette . the arugula plant, used in salads.
a noxious weed, Barbarea vulgaris, of the U.S., having lobed leaves and clusters of small, yellow flowers.
Origin of rocket
21520–30; <French roquette<Italian ruchetta ≪ Latin ērūca kind of herb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for rocket
British Dictionary definitions for rocket (1 of 2)
rocket1
/ (ˈrɒkɪt) /
noun
a self-propelling device, esp a cylinder containing a mixture of solid explosives, used as a firework, distress signal, line carrier, etc
- any vehicle propelled by a rocket engine, esp one used to carry a warhead, spacecraft, etc
- (as modifier)rocket propulsion; rocket launcher
British and NZ informal a severe reprimand (esp in the phrase get a rocket)
verb -ets, -eting or -eted
(tr) to propel (a missile, spacecraft, etc) by means of a rocket
(intr ; foll by off, away , etc) to move off at high speed
(intr) to rise rapidlyhe rocketed to the top
Word Origin for rocket
C17: from Old French roquette, from Italian rochetto a little distaff, from rocca distaff, of Germanic origin
British Dictionary definitions for rocket (2 of 2)
rocket2
/ (ˈrɒkɪt) /
noun
Also called: arugula a Mediterranean plant, Eruca sativa, having yellowish-white flowers and leaves used as a salad: family Brassicaceae (crucifers)
any of several plants of the related genus Sisymbrium, esp S. irio (London rocket), which grow on waste ground and have pale yellow flowers
yellow rocket any of several yellow-flowered plants of the related genus Barbarea, esp B. vulgaris
sea rocket any of several plants of the related genus Cakile, esp C. maritima, which grow along the seashores of Europe and North America and have mauve, pink, or white flowers
dame's rocket another name for dame's violet
See also dyer's rocket, wall rocket
Word Origin for rocket
C16: from French roquette, from Italian rochetta, from Latin ērūca a caterpillar, hairy plant
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Scientific definitions for rocket
rocket
[ rŏk′ĭt ]
A vehicle or device propelled by one or more rocket engines, especially such a vehicle designed to travel through space.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.