▪ I. ˈrocketing, ppl. a.
[f. rocket v. + -ing2.]
That rockets, in the senses of the verb.
| 1869 Pall Mall G. 24 Sept. 5 There is more knack and greater coolness required to kill..partridges driven over his head, or rocketing pheasants. 1883 E. Pennell-Elmhirst Cream Leicestersh. 275 To the rocketting bound of a good free horse you catch your breath, thankfully, happily. 1897 W. H. Thornton Reminis. Clergym. xii. 339, I shot a rocketing cock pheasant..with a single bullet. 1952 Dylan Thomas Coll. Poems 172 He..prays, Who knows the rocketing wind will blow The bones out of the hills. 1959 Economist 25 Apr. 318/2 Behind the increase in imports there is cited a ‘rocketing’ increase in Dutch production. 1964 M. Argyle Psychol. & Social Probl. xvi. 199 We are astounded however by the rocketing crime rate, [etc.]. 1970 Daily Tel. 8 May 17 Doctors, headmasters and health educationists are disturbed by the rocketing numbers of young smokers. |
▪ II. ˈrocketing, vbl. n.
[f. rocket v. + -ing1.]
The action or practice of the vb. in various senses.
| 1928 P. F. Nowlan in Amazing Stories Aug. 427 The favorite American method of propulsion was known as ‘rocketing’. 1972 Guardian 4 May 15/8 Rocketing of Saigon, plus ground probes near the capital, could shake the politicians..out of their current isolation. 1975 Church Times 14 Mar. 1/5 Rocketing and shelling of the airfield was going on as the plane left. |