crook
Translation
criminal, swindler, bend, shepherd's staff
Examples
The police caught the crook who stole the money.
The police caught the crook who stole the money.
She held the baby in the crook of her arm.
She held the baby in the crook of her arm.
Grammar Patterns
((a/the crook)) a dishonest person or criminal The police arrested the crook.
((the crook of sth.)) the inside part of sth. that is bent She held the bag in the crook of her arm.
Similar Words
Synonyms: criminal, swindler; bend, curve
Etymology
From Old Norse 'krókr', meaning 'hook' or 'bend'.
Memory Tips
A 'crook' (criminal) is 'crooked' in their ways, just as a shepherd's 'crook' (staff) is bent.