rook
rook Lexical Profile
rook Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A chess piece, typically shaped like a castle tower, that can move any number of unoccupied squares horizontally or vertically.
"He sacrificed his rook to break open the opponent's pawn structure and expose the king."
A highly gregarious Eurasian crow (Corvus frugilegus) characterized by black plumage and a distinctive bare, greyish-white patch of skin at the base of its bill.
"A large flock of rooks gathered in the tall elm trees, their raucous calls echoing across the fields."
A person who cheats or swindles others, typically in gambling or card games.
"The naive tourists did not realize they had been drawn into a card game by a professional rook."
• verb
To defraud, overcharge, or swindle someone, often through deceit or in a game of chance.
"They realized too late that the unscrupulous merchant had completely rooked them on the price of the rug."
• Rhymes for rook
Word Origin & Etymology
The word has two distinct origins. The bird's name comes from Old English 'hrōc', of Germanic origin, likely imitative of its harsh call. The chess piece comes from Middle English 'rok', via Old French from Arabic 'rukhkh' and Persian 'rukh' (meaning chariot). The verb meaning 'to cheat' originated in the late 16th century, likely derived from the bird's reputation for thievery.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.