7. pl. The projecting points of the thigh bones of cattle; -- called
also hook bones.
By hook or by crook, one way or other; by any means, direct or
indirect. Milton. "In hope her to attain by hook or crook." Spenser. --
Off the hooks, unhinged; disturbed; disordered. [Colloq.] "In the
evening, by water, to the Duke of Albemarle, whom I found mightly off
the hooks that the ships are not gone out of the river." Pepys. -- On
one's own hook, on one's own account or responsibility; by one's self.
[Colloq. U.S.] Bartlett. -- To go off the hooks, to die. [Colloq.]
Thackeray. -- Bid hook, a small boat hook. -- Chain hook. See under
Chain. -- Deck hook, a horizontal knee or frame, in the bow of a ship,
on which the forward part of the deck rests. -- Hook and eye, one of
the small wire hooks and loops for fastening together the opposite
edges of a garment, etc. -- Hook bill (Zoˆl.), the strongly curved beak
of a bird. -- Hook ladder, a ladder with hooks at the end by which it
can be suspended, as from the top of a wall. -- Hook motion (Steam
Engin.), a valve gear which is reversed by V hooks. -- Hook squid, any
squid which has the arms furnished with hooks, instead of suckers, as
in the genera Enoploteuthis and Onychteuthis. -- Hook wrench, a wrench
or spanner, having a hook at the end, instead of a jaw, for turning a
bolthead, nut, or coupling.
Hook, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hooked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Hooking.] 1. To
catch or fasten with a hook or hooks; to seize, capture, or hold, as
with a hook, esp. with a disguised or baited hook; hence, to secure by
allurement or artifice; to entrap; to catch; as, to hook a dress; to
hook a trout.
Hook him, my poor dear, . . . at any sacrifice.
W. Collins.
2. To seize or pierce with the points of the horns, as cattle in
attacking enemies; to gore.