hook Hear it!

hook Definition

hook (ho̵ok)

noun

  1. a curved or bent piece of metal, wood, etc. used to catch, hold, or pull something; specif.,
    1. a curved piece of wire or bone with a barbed end, for catching fish
    2. a curved piece of metal, wood, etc. fastened to a wall or chain at one end, used to hang things on, raise things up, etc. a coat hook
    3. a small metal catch inserted in a loop, or eye, to fasten clothes together
    4. Naut., Slang an anchor
  2. a curved metal implement for cutting grain, etc.
  3. something shaped like a hook; specif.,
    1. a curving cape or headland: used in place names Sandy Hook
    2. a sharp bend in a stream

  4. Etymology: back-form. < hooker (sense )

    a trap; snare
  5. Informal something intended to attract attention or encourage involvement; specif., in popular music, a catchy, repeated phrase, verse, riff, etc.
    1. the path of a hit or thrown ball that curves away to the left from a right-handed player or to the right from a left-handed player
    2. a ball that follows such a path
  7. Boxing a short, sharp blow delivered with the arm bent at the elbow
  8. Music flag (sense )

Etymology: ME < OE hoc, akin to hake, MDu hoec, ON hakr < IE base *keg-, peg for hanging

transitive verb

  1. to attach or fasten with or as with a hook or hook and eye
  2. to take hold of with a hook
  3. to catch with or as with a hook
  4. to attack with the horns, as a bull; gore
  5. to make into the shape of a hook
  6. ☆ to make (a rug, wall hanging, etc.) by drawing strips of yarn or cloth with a hook through a canvas or burlap backing
  7. to hit or throw (a ball) in a hook ()
  8. Informal
    1. to tempt or attract
    2. to cause addiction to
    3. to steal; snatch
  9. Boxing to hit with a hook

intransitive verb

  1. to curve as a hook does
  2. to be fastened with a hook or hooks
  3. to be caught by a hook
  4. ☆ Slang to work as a prostitute

hook Idioms

by hook or by crook

in any way whatever; by any means, honest or dishonest

get the hook

☆

Slang to be discharged or dismissed: from the former practice of pulling incompetent actors off the stage with a long hooked pole

hook, line, and sinker

☆

Informal completely; altogether: orig. a fisherman's expression

hook up

  1. to connect or attach with a hook or hooks
  2. to arrange and connect the parts of (a radio, etc.)
  3. ☆ Informal to come or bring into a relationship with another, as partner, associate, spouse, etc.

off the hook

Informal out of trouble, embarrassment, or a state of burdensome responsibility

on one's own hook

☆

Informal by oneself; without getting help, advice, etc.

hook Synonyms

hook

n.

  1. An implement for snagging

    lock, catch, clasp, latch; see fastener.

  2. A curved implement for cutting

    sickle, bill, billhook, machete, adze, scythe; see also tool 1.

hook Synonyms

hook

v.

  1. To curve in the shape of a hook

    angle, crook, curve; see arch 1.

  2. To catch on a hook

    pin, catch, secure; see fasten 1.

  3. *To attain one's end by trickery

    cheat, defraud, dupe; see deceive.

Hook Hacker Definition
An area in the message-handling mechanism of a computer system in which an application can install a subroutine to monitor the message traffic in the system. This application can also process certain kinds of messages before they can reach the targeted window procedure. Hooks significantly slow down computer systems because they increase the amount of processing that the system must perform for each message; therefore, they should be installed only when necessary.

See Also: Message.

Microsoft Corporation. Hooks. [Online, 2004.] Microsoft Corporation Website. http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp?url=/library/enus/winui/winui/ windowsuserinterface/windowing/hooks.asp; http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/default.asp? url=/library/en-us/winui/WinUI/WindowsUserInterface/Windowing/Hooks/AboutHooks.asp.
hook Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • grapple: The stuff consisted of at least 5 supermarket trolleys, roped together with thick ropes, complete with grappling hook.
  • prune: They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.
  • bait: This method of fishing involves the use of line to which thousands of baited hooks are attached.
  • swallow: And God bless Fox Searchlight for swallowing the whole thing hook, line and sinker.

Adjective modifier

  • barbless: A special permit extension is required for fishing this place and barbless hooks and catch and release are obligatory.
  • catchy: The album shines in its ability to take a simple, almost unfairly catchy hook and bleed it for all its worth.
  • barbed: Fish are played on barbed hooks and either released after the hook is torn out or clubbed to death.
  • melodic: They want songs with strong melodic hooks and good story lines.
  • adjustable: The shopping bags are held by an adjustable hook which is positioned to fit within the palm of the hand.

Modifies a noun

  • bait: The age old problem of leaving freebies nowhere near the hook bait will no longer bother the owner of this fine piece of machinery.
  • shank: Wind the tinsel rib anti-clockwise along the hook shank in even sections, secure the loose end of the tinsel at the eye.
  • pellet: Simon fished flavored corn on the hook together with soft hook pellets.
  • sucker: Hook suckers would increase gaming said that allowing zoning commission to.
  • rig: You will also do better to use single hook rigs as opposed to double sets, which we sell in the shop.

Preposition: by

  • kade: Size: 145 x 92 x 187 mm £ 13.95 Castle wall hooks more by lanka kade A popular choice for boys rooms.

Noun used with modifier

  • crochet: Put the crochet hook or latch tool under the strand between the edge st and the next st and pull gently.
  • dough: These include a dough hook, beater, wire whisk, a 4.8 liter stainless steel bowl and a pouring shield.
  • aplix: Choice of poppers or Aplix hook & loop fastening.
  • coat: A very cool antique English brass coat hook, this features St George ( the patron saint of England ) slaying the dragon.
  • crane: The " hot spot " of the mouse is in its teeth, and that of the building machine is at the crane hook.
hook Quotes

And the softness of my body will be guarded by embrace By each button, hook, and lace. For the man who should loose me is dead, Fighting with the Duke in Flanders, In a pattern called a war. Christ! What are patterns for?

—Lowell, Amy

In the first place, most princes apply themselves to the arts of war, in which I have neither ability nor interest, instead of to the good arts of peace. Theyare generally more set on acquiring new kingdoms by hook or by crook than on governing well those that theyalready have.

—More, SirThomas

Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook?

—Bible (Old Testament)

The place where bulls and foxes dine very well, but lambs end up head down on the hook.

—Just,Ward Swift

King of comforts, King of life, Thou hast cheered me, And when fears and doubts were rife, Thou hast cleared me. Not a hook in all my breast But thou fill'st it, Not a thought in all my rest But thou kill'st it. Wherefore with my utmost strength I will praise thee, And as thou giv'st line, and length, I will raise thee.

—Vaughan, Henry