crook

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crook / kroŏk/ • n. 1. the hooked staff of a shepherd. ∎  a bishop's crozier. ∎  a bend in something, esp. at the elbow in a person's arm: her head was cradled in the crook of Luke's left arm. ∎  a piece of extra tubing that can be fitted to a brass instrument to lower the pitch by a set interval. ∎  a metal tube on which the reed of some wind instruments (such as the bassoon) is set.2. inf. a person who is dishonest or a criminal.• v. [tr.] bend (something, esp. a finger as a signal).• adj. inf. (of a person or a part of the body) unwell or injured: a crook knee.DERIVATIVES: crook·er·y / ˈkroŏkərē/ n.

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