crook

¹

[ krook ]

noun

1. a bent or curved implement, piece, appendage, etc.; hook.
2. the hooked part of anything.
3. an instrument or implement having a bent or curved part, as a shepherd's staff hooked at one end or the crosier of a bishop or abbot.
4. a dishonest person, especially a sharper, swindler, or thief.
5. a bend, turn, or curve:

   a crook in the road.

6. the act of crooking or bending.
7. a pothook.
8. Also called shank. a device on some musical wind instruments for changing the pitch, consisting of a piece of tubing inserted into the main tube.

verb (used with object)

1. to bend; curve; make a crook in:

   He crooked a finger to get the waitperson's attention.

2. Slang. to steal, cheat, or swindle:

   She crooked a ring from that shop.

verb (used without object)

1. to bend; curve:

   My little toe crooks to the side.

crook

²

[ krook ]

adjective

, Australian.

1. sick or feeble.
2. ill-humored; angry.
3. out of order; functioning improperly.
4. unsatisfactory; disappointing.

Crook

³

[ krook ]

noun

1. George, 1829–90, U.S. general in Indian wars.

crook

/ krʊk /

noun

1. a curved or hooked thing
2. a staff with a hooked end, such as a bishop's crosier or shepherd's staff
3. a turn or curve; bend
4. informal.
   a dishonest person, esp a swindler or thief
5. the act or an instance of crooking or bending
6. Also calledshank a piece of tubing added to a brass instrument in order to obtain a lower harmonic series

verb

1. to bend or curve or cause to bend or curve

adjective

1. informal.
   1. ill
   2. of poor quality
   3. unpleasant; bad
2. go crook or go off crook informal.
   to lose one's temper
3. go crook at or go crook on informal.
   to rebuke or upbraid

Word History and Origins

Origin of crook¹

First recorded in 1125–75; Middle English crok, crouk, from Old Norse krōkr “hook, barb, corner”

Origin of crook²

First recorded in 1875–80; perhaps alteration of cronk

Word History and Origins

Origin of crook¹

C12: from Old Norse krokr hook; related to Swedish krok, Danish krog hook, Old High German krācho hooked tool

Idioms and Phrases

• by hook or crook

Example Sentences

Ben Crook travelled to Antalya, Turkey, with his partner and her two children to celebrate his 32nd birthday on 23 September.

From BBC

The hearing was told Mr Crook’s father was informed the body had been found on 4 October and flew out to identify his son.

From BBC

Mr Crook’s body was then flown home to Wales where another post-mortem examination was carried out.

From BBC

The cause of death was unknown, but Ms Farmer said it appeared Mr Crook had "fallen from a height and died from injuries sustained, it’s believed, as a result of a fall".

From BBC

Oregon state and federal officials confirmed Wednesday that H5N1 bird flu was found in a pig living Crook County — the first such swine infection reported in the current outbreak.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• racketeer
• robber
• rogue
• scoundrel
• swindler
• villain