rocket

rocket¹

noun

1》 a cylindrical projectile that can be propelled to a great height or distance by the combustion of its contents.

    ↘a missile or spacecraft propelled by an engine providing thrust on the same principle.

2》 Brit. informal a severe reprimand.

verb (rockets, rocketing, rocketed)

1》 (of an amount, price, etc.) increase very rapidly and suddenly.

2》 move very rapidly.

3》 attack with rocket-propelled missiles.

Origin

C17: from Fr. roquette, from Ital. rocchetto, dimin. of rocca 'distaff (for spinning)', with ref. to its cylindrical shape.

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rocket²

noun Brit. an edible Mediterranean plant of the cabbage family, eaten in salads. [Eruca vesicaria subsp. sativa.]

↘used in names of other fast-growing plants of this family, e.g. sweet rocket.

Origin

C15: from Fr. roquette, from Ital. ruchetta, dimin. of ruca, from L. eruca 'downy-stemmed plant'.