nuthook

English

Alternative forms

nut-hook

Etymology

nut +‎ hook

Noun

nuthook (plural nuthooks)

A hook on a pole to pull down boughs for gathering nuts.
(obsolete) A thief who steals by means of a hook.
(obsolete) A bailiff who metaphorically hooks or seizes malefactors; a policeman; a constable.
- c. 1596–1599, Shakespeare, William, Henry IV, Part 2, Act 5, Scene 4:
  Nuthook, nuthook, you lie.

Synonyms

(thief): angler, hooker
(policeman): see Thesaurus:police officer

Hypernyms

(thief): see Thesaurus:thief

Related terms

(hook on a pole): gaff, panking pole

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