rook

¹ American  

[rook] / rʊk /

noun

1. a black, European crow, Corvus frugilegus, noted for its gregarious habits.

2. a sharper at cards or dice; swindler.

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verb (used with object)

1. to cheat; fleece; swindle.

rook ² American  

[rook] / rʊk /

noun

Chess.

1. one of two pieces of the same color that may be moved any number of unobstructed squares horizontally or vertically; castle.

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rook ¹ British  

/ rʊk /

noun

1. a large Eurasian passerine bird, Corvus frugilegus , with a black plumage and a whitish base to its bill: family Corvidae (crows)

2. slang a swindler or cheat, esp one who cheats at cards

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verb

1. slang (tr) to overcharge, swindle, or cheat

rook ² British  

/ rʊk /

noun

1. Also called: castle.  a chesspiece that may move any number of unoccupied squares in a straight line, horizontally or vertically

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Etymology

Origin of rook¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English rok(e), Old English hrōc; cognate with Old Norse hrōkr, Old High German hruoh

Origin of rook²

1300–50; Middle English rok < Old French roc < Arabic rukhkh < Persian rukh