E. Cobham Brewer 1810–1897. Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 1898.
Rook (A).
A cheat. “To rook,” to cheat; “to rook a pigeon,” to fleece a greenhorn. Sometimes it simply means, to win from another at a game of chance or skill. (See ROOKERY.)
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“‘My Lord Marquis,’ said the king, ‘you rooked me at piquet last night, for which disloyal deed thou shalt now atone, by giving a couple of pieces to this honest youth, and five to the girl.’”—Sir Walter Scott: Peveril of the Peak, chap. xxx.
