nuthook
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
Noun edit
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, William Shakespeare, Henry IV, Part 2, act 5, scene 4:
- Nuthook, nuthook, you lie.
Synonyms edit
- (thief): angler, hooker
- (policeman): see Thesaurus:police officer
Hypernyms edit
- (thief): see Thesaurus:thief
Related terms edit
- (hook on a pole): gaff, panking pole