rood
- a crucifix, especially a large one at the entrance to the choir or chancel of a medieval church, often supported on a rood beam or rood screen.
- a cross as used in crucifixion.
- a unit of length varying locally from 5½ to 8 yards (5 to 7 meters).
- a unit of land measure equal to 40 square rods or ¼ acre (0.10117 hectare).
- a unit of 1 square rod (25.29 sq. m).
- Archaic. the cross on which Christ died.
Origin of rood
Examples from the Web for rood
Historical Examples of rood
Awhile after she suddenly demanded, "Don't you think Miss Rood looks like me?"
A Summer Evening's DreamEdward Bellamy
Every rood of this region had been in possession of that humming army over there.
The Long RollMary Johnston
Then lifting again the rood, he turned away, and with him went the Norman.
Harold, CompleteEdward Bulwer-Lytton
The night of Good Friday, three weeks past, he had a vision of the Rood.
Long WillFlorence Converse
One of the most famous of these relics was the rood of Dovercourt.
The Law of Civilization and DecayBrooks Adams
rood
- a crucifix, esp one set on a beam or screen at the entrance to the chancel of a church
- (as modifier)rood beam; rood arch; rood screen
- the Cross on which Christ was crucified
- a unit of area equal to one quarter of an acre or 0.10117 hectares
- a unit of area equal to 40 square rods
Word Origin for rood
Word Origin and History for rood
Old English rod "pole," varying from 6 to 8 yards; also "cross," especially that upon which Christ suffered; "crucifix," especially a large one; also a measure of land, properly 40 square poles or perches, from Proto-Germanic *rod- (cf. Old Saxon ruoda "stake, pile, cross," Old Frisian rode, Middle Dutch roede, Old High German ruota, German Rute "rod"), from PIE *ret- "post" (cf. Latin ratis "raft," retae "trees standing on the bank of a stream;" Old Church Slavonic ratiste "spear, staff;" Lithuanian rekles "scaffolding"). Probably not connected with rod.