Crook (kro͝ok), n. [OE. crok; akin to Icel. krōkr hook, bend, SW. krok, Dan. krog, OD. krooke; or cf. Gael. crocan crook, hook, W. crwca crooked. Cf. Crosier, Crotchet, Crutch, Encroach.] 1. A bend, turn, or curve; curvature; flexure.
Through lanes, and crooks, and darkness.
Phaer.
2. Any implement having a bent or crooked end. Especially: (a) The staff used by a shepherd, the hook of which serves to hold a runaway sheep. (b) A bishop's staff of office. Cf. Pastoral staff.
He left his crook, he left his flocks.
Prior.
3. A pothook. “As black as the crook.” Sir W. Scott.
4. An artifice; trick; tricky device; subterfuge.
For all yuor brags, hooks, and crooks.
Cranmer.
5. (Mus.) A small tube, usually curved, applied to a trumpet, horn, etc., to change its pitch or key.
6. A person given to fraudulent practices; an accomplice of thieves, forgers, etc.
By hook or by crook, in some way or other; by fair means or foul.