roller

Any rotating cylindrical device that is part of a machine, especially one used to apply or reduce pressure.

A cylindrical (or approximately cylindrical) item used under a heavy object to facilitate moving it; usually several are needed.

A person who rolls something, such as cigars or molten metal.

A large rolling device used to flatten a grass surface; commonly in relation to a cricket pitch.

A cylindrical tool for applying paint or ink.

• The deposit of color on the stone is transmitted to the metal by the lithographic roller the same as for paper. - 1857, Patents for Inventions: Abridgments of Specifications, page 118:

Synonyms: paint roller rolling paint brush rolling brush

An agricultural machine used for flattening land and breaking up lumps of earth.

One of a set of small cylindrical tubes used to curl hair.

A roller towel.

A small wheel, as of a caster, a roller skate, etc.

• The cable used for hauling the wagons on the incline may still be seen, but several of the guiding rollers have disappeared. - 1947 March and April, “Notes and News: The Edge Hill Light Railway”, in Railway Magazine,...

A rolling element inside a roller bearing: a small cylinder or sphere of metal.

(cycling) One of a set of rolling cylinders allowing a rider to practise balance while training indoors.

Any insect whose larva rolls up leaves, especially those in family Tortricidae.

A dung beetle that rolls dung into balls.

A cylinder snakes, small ground snakes of the genus Cylindrophis.

A rolling pin

(disc golf) A throw which involves the player throwing the disc in a way that makes it roll, by that being able to travel further than if thrown in the air. Only used on holes with open areas with short or no grass.

• He threw a beautiful roller that cut the corner perfectly and stopped just outside the circle.

A breed or variety of roller pigeon that rolls (i.e. tumbles or somersaults) backwards (compare Penson roller, Birmingham roller, tumbler).

Any of various nonpasserine birds constituting the family Coraciidae, having stocky bodies, large heads, and stout bills hooked at the tip.

• In such places I found a good many birds, among which were the fine cream-coloured pigeon, Carpophaga luctuosa, and the rare blue-headed roller, Coracias temmincki, which has a most discordant voice, and generally goes...