Category:Rolling

Roll"ing, a.

1. Rotating on an axis, or moving along a surface by rotation; turning over and over as if on an axis or a pivot; as, a rolling wheel or ball.

2. Moving on wheels or rollers, or as if on wheels or rollers; as, a rolling chair.

3. Having gradual, rounded undulations of surface; as, a rolling country; rolling land. [u.s.] Rolling bridge. See the note under drawbridge. -- rolling circle of a paddle wheel, the circle described by the point whose velocity equals the velocity of the ship. J. Bourne. -- rolling fire (mil.), a discharge of firearms by soldiers in line, in quick succession, and in the order in which they stand. -- rolling friction, that resistance to motion experienced by one body rolling upon another which arises from the roughness or other quality of the surfaces in contact. -- rolling mill, a mill furnished with heavy rolls, between which heated metal is passed, to form it into sheets, rails, etc. -- rolling press. (a) a machine for calendering cloth by pressure between revolving rollers. (b) a printing press with a roller, used in copperplate printing. -- rolling stock, or rolling plant, the locomotives and vehicles of a railway. -- rolling tackle (naut.), tackle used to steady the yards when the ship rolls heavily. R. H. Dana, jr.