subs. (colloquial).—1. Bed: also ROOSTING-PLACE: also as verb. = (1) to sleep, and (2) to lodge.
1749. SMOLLETT, Gil Blas [ROUTLEDGE], 29. I … slunk to my ROOSTING-PLACE where I fell asleep like a man.
1821. P. EGAN, Life in London, II. ii. Mammy Brimstone … has also “toddled” in to have a “flash of lightning” before she goes to ROOST.
1843. W. T. MONCRIEFF, The Scamps of London, i. 2. You can go to ROOST whenever you like.
1847. BULWER-LYTTON, Lucretia, II. vii. And always give a look into my room every night before you go to ROOST.
1857. O. W. HOLMES, The Autocrat of the Breakfast-Table, vi. The world has a million ROOSTS for a man, but only one nest.
1899. R. WHITEING, No. 5 John Street, ix. You must do like them, ROOST in the open air.
Verb. (colloquial).—1. See subs.
2. (military).—To imprison.
3. (common).—To cheat: TO ROOST OVER ONE = to get a RISE (q.v.).
