Roil: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word comes from the Middle English 'roilen', meaning 'to stir up or trouble'.
• It is believed to have roots in the Old French word 'ruiller', which relates to rolling or stirring.
• Its usage is closely associated with water, emphasizing the action of creating waves or disturbance.

Literature

• In poetry, the term often symbolizes turmoil and chaos, representing inner emotional struggles.
• Famous works, like Shakespeare’s plays, use it to evoke powerful imagery of conflict and unrest.
• The term appears frequently in modern literature to describe tumultuous relationships or moral dilemmas.

Science

• In fluid dynamics, 'roiling' can describe how currents form whirlpools or disturbances in a body of water.
• The roiling effect is crucial in understanding weather patterns, as turbulent air can lead to storms.
• Marine scientists study roiling waters to predict the movement of nutrients and marine life in oceans.

Psychology

• The word is often used metaphorically to describe a mind that is agitated or filled with strong emotions.
• Therapy may help individuals to calm their roiling feelings, leading to clearer thought processes.
• Anxiety and stress can cause mental states to roil, similar to how water becomes agitated.

Pop Culture

• In movies, roiling waters are a common dramatic element, often indicating danger or chaos.
• Songs or lyrics often use the concept of roiling emotions to express love, heartbreak, or turmoil.
• Famous disaster films depict roiling waters to heighten tension, symbolizing nature's uncontrollable force.

Ranking #36,495, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.

• ...
• 36492 mistreating
• 36493 scabbed
• 36494 elaborateness
• 36495 roil
• 36496 understudied
• 36497 immutably
• 36498 slurp
• ...