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crook

 - 9 dictionary results

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, esp. 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)
9. to bend; curve; make a crook in.
10. Slang. to steal, cheat, or swindle: She crooked a ring from that shop.
–verb (used without object)
11. to bend; curve.

Origin:
1125–75; ME crok(e) < ON krāka hook

crook

2[krook]
–adjective Australian.
1. sick or feeble.
2. ill-humored; angry.
3. out of order; functioning improperly.
4. unsatisfactory; disappointing.

Origin:
1875–80; perh. alter. of cronk

Crook

[krook]
–noun
George, 1829–90, U.S. general in Indian wars.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To crook
crook 1   (krŏŏk)   
n.  
  1. An implement or tool, such as a bishop's crosier or a shepherd's staff, with a bent or curved part.

  2. A part that is curved or bent like a hook.

  3. A curve or bend; a turn: a crook in the path.

  4. Informal One who makes a living by dishonest methods.

v.   crooked, crook·ing, crooks

v.   tr.
To make a crook in; bend.
v.   intr.
To bend or curve. See Synonyms at bend1.

[Middle English crok, from Old Norse krōkr.]
crook 2   (krŏŏk)   
adj.   Australian
  1. Out of order; faulty.

  2. Not well; ill.

  3. Of poor quality; inferior.

  4. Not honest; crooked.


[From crooked or crook1.]
Crook   (krŏŏk)   
American general who defeated the Sioux (1876) and subdued the Chiricahua Apaches under Geronimo (1883).
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

crook 
c.1225, "hook-shaped instrument or weapon," from O.N. krokr "hook, corner," of obscure origin. Meaning of "swindler" is Amer.Eng., 1879, but crook "dishonest trick" was in M.E.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

crook

In addition to the idioms beginning with crook, also see by hook or crook.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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Encyclopedia

crook

in brass musical instruments, detachable piece of metal tubing inserted between the mouthpiece and the main tubing or in the middle of the tubing to lengthen the air column produced. This manipulation allows the player to obtain notes not included in the harmonic series of the original air column. Crooks were in use at least by about 1600 and were used extensively by the late 18th century. They were superseded in the 19th century by valves, which, unlike crooks, allowed instantaneous changes in basic air-column pitch

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Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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