roll back

See also: rollback

English

Verb

roll back (third-person singular simple present rolls back, present participle rolling back, simple past and past participle rolled back)

1. (transitive) To return to a prior state.

   We had to roll back the changes to the database because of an unforeseen error.

2. (transitive) To postpone.

   NASA will roll back the shuttle launch due to bad weather.

3. (intransitive, aviation, of a jet engine) To reduce thrust without having been commanded to do so.
   • 2010 February 9, Air Accidents Investigation Branch, “1.16.4.2 Full-scale engine testing (L12)”, in Report on the accident to Boeing 777-236ER, G-YMMM, at London Heathrow Airport on 17 January 2008‎^[1], archived from the original on 12 April 2022, page 92:

     In the previous tests, it was suspected that the volume of fuel contained in pipework had effects, both in the time taken for the restriction to affect engine performance and the nature of the fuel flow fluctuations after the engine had rolled back. Therefore, it was decided that the restriction would be simulated with the use of an orifice plate which could be introduced adjacent to the component being investigated.

4. (intransitive) To retreat.

Derived terms

• rollback
• rollbackable
• roll back the years

 

Anagrams

• backroll, corkball