- rock|et
- rock|et 1 «ROK iht», noun, verb.–noun.1. a device consisting of a tube open at one end and filled with some substance that burns very rapidly as fuel. The burning fuel creates expanding gases which escape from the open end, moving the rocket rapidly upward or forward. Rockets are used to carry fireworks, signals, weapons, satellites and space capsules, and aerial targets. The larger rockets often carry oxygen required for combustion and are referred to as rocket engines. The rocket principle is used as the driving power of some aircraft. »
It should be noted that a rocket does not depend on the atmosphere for its propulsion, but actually would perform better in the absence of an atmosphere because of lessened air resistance (Sears and Zemansky).
2. a spacecraft, missile, firework, or distress signal, propelled by such a device: »to send a rocket to the moon.
–intransitive verb.1. to go like a rocket; move very, very fast: »The racing car rocketed across the finish line to victory.
3. to fly straight up rapidly: »Pheasants often rocket when disturbed.
4. to be put into orbit with a rocket.–transitive verb.1. to send or launch with a rocket; put into orbit with a rocket: »Russia rocketed a second satellite into space carrying a small dog (Wall Street Journal).
2. to attack with rockets: »Rail and supply installations on both coasts were bombed and rocketed by naval ships and planes (New York Times).
3. a) to cause to rise very fast; cause to skyrocket: »His discoveries rocketed the scientist to fame.
b) to send or throw as if it were a rocket: »During a game last year…Hull rocketed a high, hard shot (Time).
╂[< Italian rocchetta, probably (diminutive) < rocca distaff (from the similarity in shape) < a Germanic word]rock|et 2 «ROK iht», noun.1. a garden plant of the mustard family with fragrant white or purplish flowers.2. a European plant of the mustard family used as a salad; rocket salad. In the United States, this salad leaf goes by the name of arugula.╂[< earlier Italian rochetta, variant of rucchetta < ruca < Latin ērūca colewort]
Useful english dictionary. 2012.
