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Roost

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roost

[roost] ,
–noun
1. a perch upon which birds or fowls rest at night.
2. a large cage, house, or place for fowls or birds to roost in.
3. a place for sitting, resting, or lodging.
–verb (used without object)
4. to sit or rest on a roost, perch, etc.
5. to settle or stay, esp. for the night.
6. come home to roost, (of an action) to revert or react unfavorably to the doer; boomerang: an evil deed that came home to roost and ruined his life.
7. rule the roost, to be in charge or control; dominate: It was only too apparent that his grandfather ruled the roost.

Origin:
bef. 1100; ME roost (n.), OE hrōst; c. MD roest
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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roost   (rōōst)   
n.  
  1. A perch on which domestic fowl or other birds rest or sleep.

  2. A place with perches for fowl or other birds.

  3. A place for temporary rest or sleep.

intr.v.   roost·ed, roost·ing, roosts
To rest or sleep on or as if on a perch or roost.

[Middle English rooste, from Old English hrōst.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

roost 
late O.E. hrost "wooden framework of a roof, perch," from a Gmc. source, related to O.S. hrost, M.Du., Flem., Du. roest, roost "framework of a roof," O.N. hrot, Goth. hrot "roof." Exact relationship and ulterior connections unknown. The verb is from 1530. To rule the roost is recorded from 1769.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

roost

see chickens come home to roost; rule the roost.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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