crook

CROOK, noun [G., the back, or ridge of an animal. Latin , a wrinkle, a circle; rough, hoarse. The radical sense of crook is to strain or draw; hence, to bend.] 1. Any bend, turn or curve; or a bent or curving instrument. We speak of a crook in a stick of timber, or in a river; and any hook is a crook 2. A shepherd staff, curving at the end; a pastoral staff. When used by a bishop or abbot, it is called a crosier. He left his crook he left his flocks. 3. A gibbet. 4. An artifice; a trick. CROOK, verb transitive 1. To bend; to turn from a straight line; to make a curve or hook. 2. To turn from rectitude; to pervert. 3. To thwart. [Little used.] CROOK, verb intransitive To bend or be bent; to be turned from a right line; to curve; to wind.