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)
3.
to cheat; fleece; swindle.
Origin:
before 900; Middle English rok(e), Old English hrōc; cognate with Old Norse hrōkr, Old High German hruoh
before 900; Middle English rok(e), Old English hrōc; cognate with Old Norse hrōkr, Old High German hruoh
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To rook
00:10
Rook
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is skedaddle. Does it mean:
| to expurgate (a written work) by removing or modifying passages considered vulgar or objectionable. |
| to run away hurriedly; flee. |
Collins
World English Dictionary
rook1 (rʊk) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 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 |
| —vb | |
| 3. | slang (tr) to overcharge, swindle, or cheat |
| [Old English hrōc; related to Old High German hruoh, Old Norse hrōkr] | |
| rook2 (rʊk) | |
| —n | |
| Also called: castle a chesspiece that may move any number of unoccupied squares in a straight line, horizontally or vertically | |
| [C14: from Old French rok, ultimately from Arabic rukhkh] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
rook
"European crow," O.E. hroc, from P.Gmc. *khrokaz (cf. O.N. hrokr, M.Du. roec, M.Swed. roka, O.H.G. hruoh), possibly imitative of its raucous voice. Used as a disparaging term for persons since at least 1508, and extended by 1577 to mean "a cheat," especially at cards or dice. The verb "to defraud by
cheating" (originally especially in a game) is first attested 1590. Rookery "colony of rooks" is from 1725.
rook
"chess piece," c.1300, from O.Fr. roc, from Ar. rukhkh, from Pers. rukh, of unknown meaning, perhaps somehow related to the Indian name for the piece, rut, from Hindi rath "chariot." Confused in M.E. with roc (q.v.).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Slang Dictionary
rook definition[rʊk]
|
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Example sentences
Although rooks are social birds, they are monogamous and mate for life, making for a relatively stable adult rook society.
Two friends, a rook and crow were to be in charge of the fund.
Nearby Words
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