rook

¹

[ rook ]

noun

1. a black, European crow, Corvus frugilegus, noted for its gregarious habits.
2. a sharper at cards or dice; swindler.

verb (used with object)

1. to cheat; fleece; swindle.

rook

²

[ rook ]

noun

, Chess.

1. one of two pieces of the same color that may be moved any number of unobstructed squares horizontally or vertically; castle.

rook

¹

/ rʊk /

noun

1. a chesspiece that may move any number of unoccupied squares in a straight line, horizontally or vertically Also calledcastle

rook

²

/ rʊk /

noun

1. a large Eurasian passerine bird, Corvus frugilegus , with a black plumage and a whitish base to its bill: family Corvidae (crows)
2. slang.
   a swindler or cheat, esp one who cheats at cards

verb

1. slang.
   tr to overcharge, swindle, or cheat

Word History and Origins

Origin of rook¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English rok(e), Old English hrōc; cognate with Old Norse hrōkr, Old High German hruoh

Origin of rook²

1300–50; Middle English rok < Old French roc < Arabic rukhkh < Persian rukh

Word History and Origins

Origin of rook¹

C14: from Old French rok , ultimately from Arabic rukhkh

Origin of rook²

Old English hrōc ; related to Old High German hruoh , Old Norse hrōkr

Example Sentences

As the immunologist Graham Rook is fond of saying, co-evolution invariably leads to codependence.

From The Daily Beast

Beryn was 'in hevy plyghte,' when he only lost a rook for nothing; Tale of Beryn, 1812.

From Project Gutenberg

The Consul had a good rook-rifle with him; and the kavass, a Serb by nationality, was a very good shot with it.

From Project Gutenberg

"Hear, hear," said everybody except the crow, who hated the rook.

From Project Gutenberg

Luke is, doubtless, the stray rook, and a fledgeling hath flown hither from a distant country.

From Project Gutenberg

He was mounted on his old horse, Rook, and looked grim and haggard as a ghost vanishing at the crowing of the cock.

From Project Gutenberg