Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Roach
Roach
,Noun.
(Zool.)
A cockroach.
Roach
,Noun.
[OE.
rroche
; cf. AS. reohha
, D. rog
, roch
, G. roche
, LG. ruche
, Dan. rokke
ray, Sw. rocka
, and E. ray
a fish.] 1.
(Zool.)
(a)
A European fresh-water fish of the Carp family (
Leuciscus rutilus
). It is silver-white, with a greenish back. (b)
An American chub (
Semotilus bullaris
); the fallfish. (c)
The redfin, or shiner.
2.
(Naut.)
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.
Roach
,Verb.
T.
1.
To cause to arch.
2.
To cut off, as a horse’s mane, so that the part left shall stand upright.
Webster 1828 Edition
Roach
ROACH
,Noun.
A fish of the genus Cyprinus, found in fresh water, easily caught and tolerably good for food.
As sound as a roach, is a phrase supposed to have been originally, as sound as a rock.