Rook, v. i. To squat; to ruck. [Obs.] Shak.
Rook, n. [F. roc (cf. Sp. roque), fr. Per. & Ar. rokh, or rukh, the
rook or castle at chess, also the bird roc (in this sense perhaps a
different word); cf. Hind. rath a war chariot, the castle at chess,
Skr. ratha a car, a war car. Cf. Roll.] (Chess) One of the four pieces
placed on the corner squares of the board; a castle.
Rook, n. [AS. hrc; akin to OHG. hruoh, ruoh, ruoho, Icel. hrkr, Sw.
roka, Dan. raage; cf. Goth. hrukjan to crow.] 1. (Zoöl.) A European
bird (Corvus frugilegus) resembling the crow, but smaller. It is black,
with purple and violet reflections. The base of the beak and the region
around it are covered with a rough, scabrous skin, which in old birds
is whitish. It is gregarious in its habits. The name is also applied to
related Asiatic species.
The rook . . . should be treated as the farmer's friend.
Pennant.