Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

roll·er 1       (rō'lər)  Pronunciation Key  n.   One that rolls or performs a rolling operation or activity. Any of various cylindrical or spherical devices that roll or rotate, especially: A small spokeless wheel, such as that of a roller skate or caster. An elongated cylinder on which something, such as a window shade or towel, is wound. A heavy revolving cylinder that is used to level, crush, or smooth. Printing A cylinder, usually of hard rubber, used to ink the type before the paper is impressed. A cylinder of wire mesh, foam rubber, or other material around which a strand of hair is wound to produce a soft curl or wave. A long rolled bandage. A heavy swelling wave that breaks on a coast. A tumbler pigeon.

American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

rol·ler 2       (rō'lər)  Pronunciation Key  n.   Any of various Old World birds of the family Coraciidae, having bright blue wings, stocky bodies, and hooked bills. They are noted for their aggressiveness and their habit of rolling and twisting in flight, especially during the breeding season. A canary that trills. [German, from rollen, to roll, burble; see rollmops.]

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
roller  (n.)

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

roller
noun
1.	a grounder that rolls along the infield
2.	a long heavy sea wave as it advances towards the shore
3.	a small wheel without spokes (as on a roller skate)
4.	a cylinder that revolves
5.	a mechanical device consisting of a cylindrical tube around which the hair is wound to curl it; "a woman with her head full of curlers is not a pretty sight" [syn: curler]
6.	Old World bird that tumbles or rolls in flight; related to kingfishers
7.	pigeon that executes backward somersaults in flight or on the ground

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Roller

Roll"er\, n. 1. One who, or that which, rolls; especially, a cylinder, sometimes grooved, of wood, stone, metal, etc., used in husbandry and the arts.

2. A bandage; a fillet; properly, a long and broad bandage used in surgery.

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

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

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.

6. A long cylinder on which something is rolled up; as, the roller of a man.

7. A small wheel, as of a caster, a roller skate, etc.

8. (Zo["o]l.) ANy insect whose larva rolls up leaves; a leaf roller. see Tortrix.

9. [CF. F. rollier.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of Old World picarian birds of the family Coraciad[ae]. The name alludes to their habit of suddenly turning over or "tumbling" in flight.

Note: 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 (E. orientalis), and the Australian roller, or dollar bird (E. 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.

10. (Zo["o]l.) Any species of small ground snakes of the family Tortricid[ae].

Ground roller (Zo["o]l.), 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.