roach
nounnounverbnounverbnounattested in dialogue
- United Kingdom//ɹəʊtʃ//
- United States//ɹoʊt͡ʃ//
Certain members of the fish family Cyprinidae, including: Any fish of species in the genus Rutilus, especially
noun
- 1
Certain members of the fish family Cyprinidae, including: Any fish of species in the genus Rutilus, especially
- 2
Certain members of the fish family Cyprinidae, including: Any fish of species in the genus Rutilus, especially: A common roach (Rutilus rutilus).
- 3
Certain members of the fish family Cyprinidae, including: Any member of the genus Hesperoleucus of California roaches.
Etymology
From Middle English roche, from Old French roche, from Middle Low German roche, ruche (“ray (fish)”), from Old Saxon *rūh, possibly from Proto-Germanic *rūhaz (“rough”). Cognate with Old English ruhha ("a ray"; > Middle English rouhe, rohȝe), German Rochen (“ray (fish)”).
noun
- 1
Synonym of cockroach (“type of insect”).
- 2
slangSynonym of cockroach (“as a term of abuse”).
- 3
slangThe butt of a marijuana cigarette.
- 4
slangAn entire marijuana cigarette, blunt, or joint.
In his half hour of free time between brooms it was Willie's custom to smoke his lunch in an alleyway. He'd take just half a roach, only enough to make him feel a new day was starting, no more no less.
- 5
slangThe filter of a rolled cigarette or joint, made from card or paper (often of the cigarette paper packet itself).
Last toke is the yellowing fabric of the roach, containing the stuff that is less than tobacco.
Etymology
Back-formation from cockroach, as if it were a compound. Marijuana-related meanings by similarity of appearance of the butt, attested since the 1930s.
verb
- 1
Synonym of roach out.
Yamato roached on his best friend.
I stand by it being a horrible call, but Yamdef getting called out for roaching, there’s definitely some irony going on there.
noun
- 1
Sail material that forms a concave curve rather than straight leech (aft edge) of a sail to increase the sail area over that of a simple triangular sail.
- 2
A haircut or a similar-looking kind of headdress worn by some of the indigenous peoples of North America, often red.
Etymology
Apparently from extended or figurative use of roach (“Cyprinidae”), above. Compare the adjective roached (“styled so that the mane stands up from the neck”).
verb
- 1
To cut or shave off the mane of a horse so that the remaining hair stands up on the neck.
- 2
To cut a person's hair so that it stands straight up.
noun
- 1
obsoleteA bed or stratum of some mineral.
After long Working of this Coal, it was found upon the rising Grounds, that there lay another Roach of Coal, at the Depth of 14 Yards under it
- 2
Gritty or coarse rock; especially Portland stone or similar limestone.
The roach, both of the top and bottom beds, is always imperceptibly incorporated with the freestone, which is invariable situated beneath it.
Etymology
Variant of roche (“rock”). Attested since the seventeenth century.
Forms
- plural
- roaches
- past tense
- roached
- past participle
- roached
- present participle
- roaching
- third person singular
- roaches
roach · Certain members of the fish family Cyprinidae, including: Any fish of species in the genus Rutilus, especially
Roach · A surname. A surname from Anglo-Normanroad · A way used for travelling between places, originally one wide…roadblock · Something that blocks or obstructs a road.