From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishcrookcrook1 /krʊk/ ●○○ noun [countable] 1 informalSCC a dishonest person or a criminal The crooks got away across the park.2 TAa long stick with a curved end, used by people who look after sheep3 → the crook of your arm
Examples from the Corpus
crook• People have accused me of being a crook, but I didn't take any money that wasn't mine.• Louisiana voters were faced with the choice of voting for a crook or a racist.• Collins called the governor a crook and said he should be removed from office.• I wouldn't do business with him - he's a crook.• A crook if I ever saw one.• This type of cougar has a distinctive crook in its tail.• Five crooks, one detective and a drug deal gone sour.• Indeed, most of the old crooks have been allowed to contest the election.• a petty crook• A real crook, but a fascinating article.• Carey stood up, the fish held in the crook of his arm, as you would hold an infant.• Glover felt hung up in the crook of a tree.crookcrook2 verb [transitive] HBHif you crook your finger or your arm, you bend it→ See Verb tableExamples from the Corpus
crook• Omi crooked a finger for the waitress who offered the bill with subtle deference, and Omi paid it with subtle superiority.• She crooked her elbow, but the baby's head didn't seem to fit comfortably into it.• Mrs. Garner crooked her finger at me, motioning for me to come over.Origin crook1 (1100-1200) Old Norse krokr “hook” 