Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Rood

Rood

(roōd)
,
Noun.
[AS.
rōd
a cross; akin to OS.
rōda
, D.
roede
rod, G.
ruthe
,
rute
, OHG.
ruota
. Cf.
Rod
a measure.]
1.
A representation in sculpture or in painting of the cross with Christ hanging on it.
☞ Generally, the Trinity is represented, the Father as an elderly man fully clothed, with a nimbus around his head, and holding the cross on which the Son is represented as crucified, the Holy Spirit descending in the form of a dove near the Son’s head. Figures of the Virgin Mary and of St. John are often placed near the principal figures.
Savior, in thine image seen
Bleeding on that precious
rood
.
Wordsworth.
2.
A measure of five and a half yards in length; a rod; a perch; a pole.
[Prov. Eng.]
3.
The fourth part of an acre, or forty square rods.
By the rood
,
by the cross; – a phrase formerly used in swearing.
“No, by the rood, not so.”
Shak.
Rood beam
(Arch.)
,
a beam across the chancel of a church, supporting the rood.
Rood loft
(Arch.)
,
a loft or gallery, in a church, on which the rood and its appendages were set up to view.
Gwilt.
Rood screen
(Arch.)
,
a screen, between the choir and the body of the church, over which the rood was placed.
Fairholt.
Rood tower
(Arch.)
,
a tower at the intersection of the nave and transept of a church; – when crowned with a spire it was called also
rood steeple
.
Weale.
Rood tree
,
the cross.
[Obs.]
“Died upon the rood tree.”
Gower.

Webster 1828 Edition


Rood

ROOD

,
Noun.
[a different orthography of rod, which see.]
1.
The fourth part of an acre, or forty square rods. [See Acre.]
2.
A pole; a measure of five yards; a rod or perch. [Not used in America, and probably local in England.]

ROOD

,
Noun.
The cross; or an image of Christ, of the virgin Mary and a saint or St. John, on each side of it.