CROOK, n. [G., the back, or ridge of an animal. L., 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, v.t.
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, v.i. To bend or be bent; to be turned from a right line; to curve; to wind.
