n., v., & adj.
--n.
1. the hooked staff of a shepherd or bishop.
2 a a bend, curve, or hook. b anything hooked or curved.
3 colloq. a a rogue; a swindler. b a professional criminal.
--v.tr. & intr. bend, curve.
--adj.
1. crooked.
2 Austral. & NZ colloq. a unsatisfactory, out of order; (of a person) unwell, injured. b unpleasant. c dishonest, unscrupulous. d bad-tempered, irritable, angry.
Phrases and idioms:
crook-back a hunchback. crook-backed hunchbacked. go crook (usu. foll. by at, on) Austral. & NZ colloq. lose one's temper; become angry.
Derivatives:
crookery n.
Etymology: ME f. ON kr{oacute}kr hook