English
nook
Pronunciation Noun

nook (plural nooks)

  1. A small corner formed by two walls; an alcove.
    Synonyms: alcove, ancone, recess
    There was a small broom for sweeping ash kept in the nook between the fireplace bricks and the wall.
  2. A hidden or secluded spot; a secluded retreat.
    The back of the used book shop was one of her favorite nooks; she could read for hours and no one would bother her or pester her to buy.
  3. A recess, cove or hollow.
    Synonyms: niche
    • 1610–1611, William Shakespeare, “The Tempest”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies: Published According to the True Originall Copies (First Folio), London: Printed by Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, OCLC 606515358 ↗, [Act I, scene ii], page 3 ↗:
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  4. (historical) An English unit of land#Noun|land area, originally frac 4 of a yardland but later frac 12 or 20 acres.
    Synonyms: fardel
    • ante 1634 W. Noye, The Complete Lawyer, 57:
      You must note, that two Fardells of Land make a Nooke of Land, and two Nookes make halfe a Yard of Land.
    • 1903, English Dialectical Dictionary, volume IV, page 295:
      Nook, an old legal term for frac 12 acres of land; still in use at Alston.
    • 1968, November 9, The Economist, page 2:
      They poured their wine by the aume or the fust, and cut their cloth by the goad—not to be confused with the gawd, which was a measure of steel. Their nook was not cosy; it covered 20 acres.
  5. (chiefly, Northern England, archaic) A corner#Noun|corner of a piece#Noun|piece of land; an angled#Adjective|angled piece of land, especially one extending into other land.
Related terms Translations Translations Verb

nook (nooks, present participle nooking; past and past participle nooked)

  1. To withdraw into a nook.
  2. To situate in a nook.


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