rolly

comparative more rolly · superlative most rolly

1. informalnot comparableusuallyRolling; having the ability to roll, usually due to wheels attached on the bottom.

   “Back east, eh?” Jogi plucked a rolly bug from a grape. He said in a dry tone, “He didn't like you working for us, did he?”

   1957, Vinnie Williams, The Fruit Tramp

   1 more example

   We went inside, with Gayleen taking a little longer than usual due to her walking stick and her portable oxygen tank on a little rolly cart, and got a good table in the smoking section.

   2009, Garland Stewart, Say Uncle, page 166

2. comparablenot comparableusuallynauticalRough, turbulent, characterized by large or rapid waves.

   San Diego’s legacy to America’s Cup history has little to do with the light-air, rolly-sea conditions off Point Loma

   1995 January, Tim Murphy, “The San Diego uncertainty principle”, in Cruising World, page 63

   1 more example

   As soon as the Wave passed by—our earlier complacency had only cost us a few hours of discomfort, but no real danger—we up anchored to see if we could find somewhere in the anchorage that was less rolly.

   2005, Lona Gray, Caught by the Lure of the Sea, page 168

plural rollies

1. alternativehistoricalbusinessAlternative form of rolley (“horse-drawn wheeled vehicle used in a mine”).
2. UKalternativeslangAlternative form of rollie (“cigarette rolled by hand”).

   His rolly had gone out and he stuck his head down to light the doff off the gas and burnt his left eyebrow as the cooker had one of those rare spats,

   2005, Daithidh MacEochaidh, Travels with Chinaski, page 13

   1 more example

   He came and sat down and took a rolly from Julian.[…] ‘That way madness lies,’ said my father, flicking the end of the rolly into an empty mug.

   2014, Abbie Ross, Hippie Dinners, page 232

1. A diminutive of the male given name Roland.