crook

Crook is a noun with several related senses. One sense refers to a curved or hooked part of an object: for example, a shepherd's crook is a staff with a hooked end used to manage livestock; the crook of a cane; or the curved part of a fishing hook. The phrase crook of the elbow denotes the inner bend of the arm. A second sense designates a person who commits crimes or acts dishonestly; a crook is a thief or swindler. In everyday language, the term carries a strongly negative connotation and is used about individuals or activities deemed illegal or deceitful. The word is most often encountered in the plural form in news reports and fiction: crooks were arrested. The adjective crooked describes something that is bent, not straight, or something dishonest.

Etymology: The sense related to a hook or bend derives from the idea of a curved form. The exact origin is uncertain; the term has long been associated with bending shapes and with persons who bend rules.