Rōar1, v. i.
v. i. [imp. & p. p. ROARED; p. pr. & vb. n. ROARING.] [A. S. rärian, L. Ger. raren, O. D. reeren, Prov. Ger. reren, rärren, röhren, rören, O. H. Ger. rerên, reran.] 1. To cry with a full, loud, continued sound; especially, (a.) To bellow or cry as a beast. “Roaring bulls he would him make to tame.” Spenser. (b.) To cry loudly, as in pain or distress. The suffering chief Roared out for anguish. Dryden. (c.) To cry, as in anger. He scorned to roar under the impressions of a finite anger. South. 2. To make a loud, confused sound, as winds, waves, passing vehicles, a crowd of persons when shouting together, and the like. The brazen throat of War had ceased to roar. Milton. How oft I crossed where carts and coaches roar. Gay. 3. To engage in riotous conduct; to be disorderly. It was a mad, roaring time, full of extravagance. Burnet.
- To laugh out loudly and continuously; as, the hearers roared at his jokes.
- To make a loud noise in breathing, as horses having a certain disease. See ROARING.
Roaring boy, a roaring, noisy fellow; — a name given, at the latter end of Queen Elizabeth's reign, to the riotous fellows who raised disturbances in the street. “Two roaring boys of Rome, that made all split.” Beau. & Fl.