crook

[[t]kr'ʊk[/t]]

crooks, crooking, crooked

1) N-COUNT A crook is a dishonest person or a criminal. [INFORMAL]

The man is a crook and a liar...

Donaldson was a petty crook with a string of previous offences.

2) N-COUNT: usu sing, the N of n The crook of your arm or leg is the soft inside part where you bend your elbow or knee.

She hid her face in the crook of her arm.

3) VERB If you crook your arm or finger, you bend it.

[V n] He crooked his finger: `Come forward,' he said.

4) N-COUNT A crook is a long pole with a large hook at the end. A crook is carried by a bishop in religious ceremonies, or by a shepherd.

...a shepherd's crook.

5) PHRASE: PHR with cl, PHR with v If someone says they will do something by hook or by crook, they are determined to do it, even if they have to make a great effort or use dishonest means.

They intend to get their way, by hook or by crook.