6. A person given to fraudulent practices; an accomplice of thieves, forgers, etc. [Cant, U.S.] By hook or by crook, in some way or other; by fair means or foul.
CROOK
Crook (krk), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Crooked (krkt); p. pr. & vb. n.
Crooking.] Etym: [OE. croken; cf. Sw. kr, Dan. kr. See Crook, n.]
1. To turn from a straight line; to bend; to curve. Crook the pregnant hinges of the knee. Shak.
2. To turn from the path of rectitude; to pervert; to misapply; to twist. [Archaic] There is no one thing that crooks youth more than such unlawfull games. Ascham. What soever affairs pass such a man's hands, he crooketh them to his own ends. Bacon.
CROOK
Crook, v. i.
Defn: To bend; to curve; to wind; to have a curvature. " The port . . . crooketh like a bow." Phaer. Their shoes and pattens are snouted, and piked more than a finger long, crooking upwards. Camden.
CROOKBACK
Crook"back` (krk"bk), n.
Defn: A crooked back; one who has a crooked or deformed back; a hunchback.
CROOKBACK
Crook"back`, a.
Defn: Hunched. Shak. `