roach definition

<jargon> A Bell Labs term meaning destroy, especially of a data structure. Hardware gets toasted or fried, software gets roached.

[Why?]

(01 Apr 1999)

<zoology> A cockroach.

1. <zoology> A European fresh water fish of the Carp family (Leuciscus rutilus). It is silver-white, with a greenish back. An American chub (Semotilus bullaris); the fallfish.

The redfin, or shiner.

2. A convex curve or arch cut in the edge of a sail to prevent chafing, or to secure a better fit. As sound as a roach [roach perhaps being a corruption of a F. Roche a rock], perfectly sound.

Origin: OE. Rroche; cf. AS. Reohha, D. Rog, roch, G. Roche, LG. Ruche, Dan. Rokke ray, Sw. Rocka, and E. Ray a fish.

(01 Mar 1998)