/krʊk; kruk/
n
1 (infml 口) person who is habitually dishonest 一贯耍花招的人; 行骗或行窃的老手
*The crooks got away with (ie The criminals stole) most of the money. 那坏蛋把那笔钱的大部分都偷走了.
* That used-car salesman is a real crook. 那个卖旧汽车的商人是个地地道道的骗子.
2 bend or curve, eg in a river or path 弯曲; 弯子; （河流、道路等的）弯曲处
*carry sth in the crook of one's arm, ie on one's arm, at the inside of the bent elbow 臂弯里挎着某物.
3 (a) long stick with a rounded hook at one end, as used in former times by shepherds for catching sheep 一端有弯钩的长棍杖（如旧时牧羊人捕羊所用的）.
(b) long staff similar to this, carried ceremonially by a bishop; crosier 主教举行仪式时手持的权杖（形如牧羊人之手杖）.
4 (idm 习语) by hook or by crook => hook1.

v [Tn] bend (esp one's finger or arm) 使（尤指手指或手臂）弯曲
*She crooked her little finger as she drank her tea. 她喝茶时弯起小指头. crook adj [usu pred 通常作表语] (Austral infml 澳, 口) ill 有病
*I'm feeling a bit crook. 我感到有点不适.