Rook

/rʊk/ noun

Definition

A large black bird similar to a crow, or a chess piece shaped like a castle tower that moves in straight lines across the board.

Etymology

The bird name comes from Old English 'hroc,' likely imitative of the bird's harsh call. The chess piece is named after the bird because the piece's shape resembles a castle tower or fortress (rook in Hindi means 'chariot').

Kelly Says

The chess rook represents one of the most powerful and versatile pieces on the board, yet it's named after a bird known for being clever and sometimes mischievous. Medieval players saw the bird's intelligence and made it a noble piece in the game.

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