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 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

rook

²

/ rʊk /

noun

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

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

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

Origin of rook²

C14: from Old French rok , ultimately from Arabic rukhkh

Example Sentences

Now, it seems the poison wasn't consumed by rodents - but by rooks and crows.

From BBC

Rxd3, and White’s pawns will prove sitting ducks in a shooting gallery for Black’s rook.

From Washington Times

The bishops rip the pawn cover from the Black king, and the White queen and rook take it from there.

From Washington Times

Nd5!!, putting a knight en prise with a rook already hanging in order to run down the Black king.

From Washington Times

The state says Trump rooked his way into the financing, at attractive interest rates, by padding his wealth.

From Seattle Times