scroll

[ skrohl ]
See synonyms for scroll on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a roll of parchment, paper, copper, or other material, especially one with writing on it: a scroll containing the entire Old Testament.

  2. something, especially an ornament, resembling a partly unrolled sheet of paper or having a spiral or coiled form.

  1. a list, roll, roster, or schedule.

  2. (in Japanese and Chinese art) a painting or text on silk or paper that is either displayed on a wall (hanging scroll ) or held by the viewer (hand scroll ) and is rolled up when not in use.: Compare kakemono, makimono.

  3. the curved head of a violin or other bowed instrument.

  4. a note, message, or other piece of writing.

verb (used with object)
  1. to cut into a curved form with a narrow-bladed saw.

  2. Computers. to move (text) up, down, or across a display screen, with new text appearing on the screen as old text disappears.

verb (used without object)
  1. Computers. to move text vertically or horizontally on a display screen in searching for a particular section, line, etc.

Origin of scroll

1
1350–1400; Middle English scrowle; blend of scrow, aphetic variant of escrow and rowleroll

Other words from scroll

  • scroll-like, adjective

Words Nearby scroll

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use scroll in a sentence

  • Even as they gazed they saw its roof caught up, and whirled off as if it had been a scroll of paper.

    The Giant of the North | R.M. Ballantyne
  • He knew his cousin, and he had the sensation that an illuminated scroll of fate dangled before his eyes.

    Ancestors | Gertrude Atherton
  • Of the parts the young assistant of Nicolas Amati was allowed to put his individuality to, conspicuously stands the scroll.

    Antonio Stradivari | Horace William Petherick
  • All the details of scroll carving by Stradivari at this period are marvels of mechanical dexterity of handling.

    Antonio Stradivari | Horace William Petherick
  • He is here shown seated on a curule chair, wearing a Roman toga, and holding a half open scroll in his hand.

    The Catacombs of Rome | William Henry Withrow

British Dictionary definitions for scroll

scroll

/ (skrəʊl) /


noun
  1. a roll of parchment, paper, etc, usually inscribed with writing

  2. an ancient book in the form of a roll of parchment, papyrus, etc

    • a decorative carving or moulding resembling a scroll

    • (as modifier): a scroll saw

    • (in combination): scrollwork

verb
  1. (tr) to saw into scrolls

  2. to roll up like a scroll

  1. computing to move (text) from right to left or up and down on a screen in order to view text that cannot be contained within a single display image

Origin of scroll

1
C15 scrowle, from scrowe, from Old French escroe scrap of parchment, but also influenced by roll

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012