roach

n. (Zool.) A cockroach. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. rroche; cf. AS. reohha, D. rog, roch, G. roche, LG. ruche, Dan. rokke ray, Sw. rocka, and E. ray a fish. ] 1. (Zool.) (a) A European fresh-water fish of the Carp family (Leuciscus rutilus). It is silver-white, with a greenish back. (b) An American chub (Semotilus bullaris); the fallfish. (c) The redfin, or shiner. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Naut.) A convex curve or arch cut in the edge of a sail to prevent chafing, or to secure a better fit. [ 1913 Webster ]

As sound as a roach [ roach perhaps being a corruption of a F. roche a rock ], perfectly sound. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. 1. To cause to arch. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To cut off, as a horse's mane, so that the part left shall stand upright. [ 1913 Webster ]