roller

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a cylindrical object or part that turns, especially one used to move, flatten, press, or apply something

   Workers placed each roller beneath the heavy crate and pushed it toward the door.

2. 2
   noun

   a small cylinder around which hair is wound to make it curl

   She wound a damp strand of hair around a roller before bed.

3. 3
   noun

   a large wave that advances with a rolling motion

   A powerful roller broke over the reef and swept foam across the rocks.

From Middle English rollere, formed from roll + the agent or instrument suffix -er. The central sense is something that rolls; specialized uses developed for machinery, hair curling, and rolling waves.

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