n. [ Probably fr. roll. ] A small wagon used for the underground work of a mine. Tomlison. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. One who, or that which, rolls; especially, a cylinder, sometimes grooved, of wood, stone, metal, etc., used in husbandry and the arts. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A bandage; a fillet; properly, a long and broad bandage used in surgery. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Naut.) One of series of long, heavy waves which roll in upon a coast, sometimes in calm weather. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. A long, belt-formed towel, to be suspended on a rolling cylinder; -- called also roller towel. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. (Print.) A cylinder coated with a composition made principally of glue and molassess, with which forms of type are inked previously to taking an impression from them. W. Savage. [ 1913 Webster ]

6. A long cylinder on which something is rolled up; as, the roller of a map. [ 1913 Webster ]

7. A small wheel, as of a caster, a roller skate, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

8. (Zool.) Any insect whose larva rolls up leaves; a leaf roller. see Tortrix. [ 1913 Webster ]

9. [ CF. F. rollier. ] (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of Old World picarian birds of the family Coraciadae. The name alludes to their habit of suddenly turning over or “tumbling” in flight. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Many of the species are brilliantly colored. The common European species (Coracias garrula) has the head, neck, and under parts light blue varied with green, the scapulars chestnut brown, and the tail blue, green, and black. The broad-billed rollers of India and Africa belong to the genus Eurystomus, as the oriental roller (Eurystomus orientalis), and the Australian roller, or dollar bird (Eurystomus Pacificus). The latter is dark brown on the head and neck, sea green on the back, and bright blue on the throat, base of the tail, and parts of the wings. It has a silvery-white spot on the middle of each wing. The lilac-breasted roller of Africa is Corcia caudata caudata, a brightly colored bird of the family Corciidae having malachite green, blue, purple-lilac, brown and sea-green feathers from head to tail; it is a popular sight with tourists in Africa. [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]

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10. (Zool.) Any species of small ground snakes of the family Tortricidae. [ 1913 Webster ]

Ground roller (Zool.), any one of several species of Madagascar rollers belonging to Atelornis and allied genera. They are nocturnal birds, and feed on the ground. --
Roller bolt, the bar in a carriage to which the traces are attached; a whiffletree. [ Eng. ] --
Roller gin, a cotton gin inn which rolls are used for separating the seeds from the fiber. --
Roller mill. See under Mill. --
Roller skate, a skate which has small wheels in the place of the metallic runner; -- designed for use in skating upon a smooth, hard surface, other than ice. [ 1913 Webster ]

. (Mach.) A bearing containing friction rollers. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

. [ from Rollerblade, a trade name. ] a type of roller skate having more than two wheels, aligned in a single row rather than in two rows. [ PJC ]

. An amusement railroad of varying design in which open cars coast by gravity over a long winding track in a closed circuit, with steep pitches and ascents, and in some cases loops in which the cars are briefly upside-down; typically, the cars are pulled by a chain device to the top of the first peak, after which gravity and momentum provide the only propulsive forces. In some cases, the cars are suspended from a monorail rather than resting on a track, and such cars may be made to swing outward at an angle near to the horizontal. It is a popular amusement at many amusement parks, but is sufficiently frightening to some people that they refuse to ride in one. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

. to glide on roller skates, as one might on ice skates. [ PJC ]

. 1. a shoe with a set of wheels attached so that the wearer can glide over a flat surface. To move on such a device is reverred to as to skate or to rollerskate. To rollerskate is a form of recreation or sport. [ PJC ]

2. a metal frame of the size of a shoe, with a set of wheels attached, and with adjustable clamps and straps that permit a shoe to be reversibly fastened to the frame. It serves the same purpose as the roller skate having the shoe permanently attached, but is typically less expensive. [ PJC ]