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Meantolearn Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary
rock
I was told that 'this rocks' means this is good/great.
I looked up my dictionary. Rock can mean shock if it's used as a verb.
e.g. The managing director's resignation rocked the whole company. (Cambridge)
The verb rock has two quite opposite meanings. How do I know which one means which?
Thanks,
I looked up my dictionary. Rock can mean shock if it's used as a verb.
e.g. The managing director's resignation rocked the whole company. (Cambridge)
The verb rock has two quite opposite meanings. How do I know which one means which?
Thanks,
Top answer
Hi Meantolearn, You should get the meaning from the context. Other words, sentences and meaning of the whole text should help you infer the meaning. Without a context, the word is just a dictionary item, or better said lexeme.
- Hi Meantolearn, You should get the meaning from the context.
- Other words, sentences and meaning of the whole text should help you infer the meaning.
- Without a context, the word is just a dictionary item, or better said lexeme.
- Dictionaries can also give you information on when to use certain word or expression.
- For instance, this rocks is more colloquial expression and you will certainly not find it in scientific paper.
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8 Answers
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Hi Meantolearn,
You should get the meaning from the context. Other words, sentences and meaning of the whole text should help you infer the meaning. Without a context, the word is just a dictionary item, or better said lexeme.
Dictionaries can also give you information on when to use certain word or expression. For instance, this rocks is more colloquial expression and y
You should get the meaning from the context. Other words, sentences and meaning of the whole text should help you infer the meaning. Without a context, the word is just a dictionary item, or better said lexeme.
Dictionaries can also give you information on when to use certain word or expression. For instance, this rocks is more colloquial expression and y
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Hi Meantolearn
Antonia has give you an excellent explanation about how to go about looking at the words meaning.
I would just like to add onto his point of view.
Lets look at the word Rock itself,
1) if used as a noun it would refer to a stone
however if used as a verb it takes completely different meaning
2) The resignation of the director ro
Antonia has give you an excellent explanation about how to go about looking at the words meaning.
I would just like to add onto his point of view.
Lets look at the word Rock itself,
1) if used as a noun it would refer to a stone
however if used as a verb it takes completely different meaning
2) The resignation of the director ro
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Hello M2L
The verb 'rock' can mean 'move from side to side', or 'cause to move from side to side', e.g.
1. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
2. The statue rocked on its plinth with the blast.
'Rock' as in stone derives from Vulgar Latin 'rocca'; whereas 'rock' as in 'move back and forth' derives from the Germanic 'rucken'.
MrP
The verb 'rock' can mean 'move from side to side', or 'cause to move from side to side', e.g.
1. The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
2. The statue rocked on its plinth with the blast.
'Rock' as in stone derives from Vulgar Latin 'rocca'; whereas 'rock' as in 'move back and forth' derives from the Germanic 'rucken'.
MrP
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I suspect Meantolearn wants the idiomatic usage here, which comes from the 'rock and roll' music tradition, as far I'm concerned.
'This rocks' means, 'This is really hot stuff', 'You're going to dig this', and other such slang expressions (that I personally am no longer current with, having not evolved much along those lines since the 50's and 60's).
'This rocks' means, 'This is really hot stuff', 'You're going to dig this', and other such slang expressions (that I personally am no longer current with, having not evolved much along those lines since the 50's and 60's).
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MrP, no wonder the word rock used as a noun -- stone(static) or used as a verb -- move side to side (dynamic) has quite different meanings. They have different roots even though they're all spelled the same in English. Thanks for pointing this out.
Dave, this is what I'm looking for. I can't find such definition as rock to 'hot stuff' in a dictionary. I've heard Americans say it (this roc
Dave, this is what I'm looking for. I can't find such definition as rock to 'hot stuff' in a dictionary. I've heard Americans say it (this roc
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Hello M2L
I think this 'rock' means both:
1. cause to be stirred up/shaken up
2. subject to rock & roll
'Rock' in sense #1 is quite common in newspaper English ('New Sleaze Revelation Rocks Tory Party'); but probably less so in ordinary spoken English.
But it is quite an obscure lyric – someone else may have a different interpretation!
MrP
I think this 'rock' means both:
1. cause to be stirred up/shaken up
2. subject to rock & roll
'Rock' in sense #1 is quite common in newspaper English ('New Sleaze Revelation Rocks Tory Party'); but probably less so in ordinary spoken English.
But it is quite an obscure lyric – someone else may have a different interpretation!
MrP
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I hate to be a wet blanket, but "You (really) rock!", meaning "You did a great job!" is getting tiresome. I think the expression has (thankfully) run its course and will be out of favor before October (if we're lucky).
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