rocket

rocket¹

—rocketlike, adj.

/rok"it/, n.

1. any of various simple or complex tubelike devices containing combustibles that on being ignited liberate gases whose action propels the tube through the air: used for pyrotechnic effect, signaling, carrying a lifeline, hurling explosives at an enemy, putting a space vehicle into orbit, etc.

2. a space capsule or vehicle put into orbit by such devices.

3. See rocket engine.

v.t.

4. to move or transport by means of a rocket.

5. to attack with rockets.

v.i.

6. to move like a rocket.

7. (of game birds) to fly straight up rapidly when flushed.

[1605-15; < It rocchetta, dim. of rocca distaff (with reference to its shape) < Goth *rukka]

rocket²

/rok"it/, n.

1. any of various plants belonging to the genus Hesperis, of the mustard family, and related genera. Cf. dame's rocket.

2. Also called rocket salad, roquette. arugula.

3. a noxious weed, Barbarea vulgaris, of the U.S., having lobed leaves and clusters of small, yellow flowers.

[1520-30; < F roquette < It ruchetta L eruca kind of herb]

* * *

I

Type of jet-propulsion device that uses either solid or liquid propellants to provide the fuel and oxidizer needed for combustion.

The hot gases provided by combustion are ejected in a jet through a nozzle at the rear of the rocket. The term is also commonly applied to any of various vehicles, including fireworks, skyrockets, guided missiles, and launch vehicles for spacecraft, that are driven by such a propulsive device. Typically, thrust (force causing forward motion) is produced by reaction to a rearward expulsion of hot gases at extremely high speed (see Newton's laws of motion).

II

(as used in expressions)

Atlas rocket

staged rocket

Thor rocket

Titan rocket

* * *

▪ locomotive

 pioneer railway locomotive built by the English engineers George (Stephenson, George) and Robert (Stephenson, Robert) Stephenson. Following the success of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 1825, the cities of Liverpool and Manchester decided to build a 40-mile (64-km) steam-operated line connecting them. George Stephenson was entrusted with constructing the line, but a competition was held to choose a locomotive. The Stephensons' Rocket won against three rivals, including an entry by John Ericsson (Ericsson, John), who later designed an armoured vessel called the Monitor for the federal forces during the American Civil War. For a short stretch the Rocket achieved a speed of 36 miles (58 km) per hour.

* * *