brook

¹

[brook]

noun

1. a small, natural stream of fresh water.

brook

²

[brook]

verb (used with object)

1. to bear; suffer; tolerate.

   I will brook no interference.

   Synonyms: stomach, abide, endure, stand, take

Brook

¹

/ brʊk /

noun

1. Peter ( Paul Stephen ). born 1925, British stage and film director, noted esp for his experimental work in the theatre

brook

²

/ brʊk /

noun

1. a natural freshwater stream smaller than a river

brook

³

/ brʊk /

verb

1. (tr; usually used with a negative) to bear; tolerate

Other Word Forms

• brookless adjective
• brooklike adjective
• brookable adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of brook¹

before 900; Middle English; Old English brōc stream; cognate with Dutch broek, German Bruch marsh

Origin of brook²

before 900; Middle English brouken, Old English brūcan; cognate with Dutch bruiken, German brauchen; akin to Gothic brukjan, Latin fruī to enjoy

Word History and Origins

Origin of brook¹

Old English brōc ; related to Old High German bruoh swamp, Dutch broek

Origin of brook²

Old English brūcan ; related to Gothic brūkjan to use, Old High German brūhhan , Latin fruī to enjoy

Example Sentences

Much as a well-trained pony might jump over a murky brook and land, dry hooved, in the sun-dappled meadow beyond, Penelope’s mind now made a sudden leap over the muddle.

Read more on Literature

“Beavers! Build dams in every brook and stream. We must not let any fresh water pour into the ocean! “

Read more on Literature

People kept stopping to talk to him, although they mostly made small murmuring noises, like the fake brook that runs through a suburban shopping center.

Read more on Salon

Mr Lister told Radio Wales Breakfast he often visited the brook as it is a good spot for photographing wildlife in the area.

Read more on BBC

Her partner, Art Linfoot, built the house they lost, a cabin with a wraparound porch and a year-round brook where deer drank and the sound of the water lulled the couple to sleep.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• countenance 
• tolerate