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| rock·et [ rókət ] |
noun (plural rock·ets) |
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| Definition: |
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1. self-propelled firework or flare: a firework, flare, or similar device, usually cylindrical in shape, containing combustible propellants
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2. aerospace space vehicle: a vehicle designed for space travel, propelled by a rocket engines
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3. aerospace
Same as rocket engine
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4. arms rocket-propelled weapon: a weapon consisting of an explosive, nuclear, or other warhead that is propelled by a rocket engine
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verb (past and past participle rock·et·ed, present participle rock·et·ing, 3rd person present singular rock·ets) |
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| Definition: |
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1. intransitive verb move fast: to move or begin to move at great speed
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2. transitive and intransitive verb attain something quickly: to get to a particular condition or position very quickly, or cause somebody or something to do this
(
informal
)
  They rocketed to fame with their first single.
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3. intransitive verb increase quickly: to increase very quickly and dramatically
(
informal
)
House prices have rocketed in the last year or so.
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4. transitive verb military aerospace power something using rocket engine: to send something, especially a spacecraft, warhead, or missile, into the air or atmosphere by means of a rocket engine or rocket engines
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5. transitive verb bombard something with rocket: to fire a rocket at a target
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6. intransitive verb fly up quickly: to fly up vertically at speed
(
refers to game birds
)
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| [Early 17th century. < Italian rocchetta "small distaff" (from its shape) < rocca "distaff" < Germanic] |
