nuthook

English

Alternative forms

• nut-hook

Etymology

nut +‎ hook

Noun

nuthook (plural nuthooks)

1. A hook on a pole to pull down boughs for gathering nuts.
2. (obsolete) A thief who steals by means of a hook.
3. (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

• (thief): angler, hooker
• (policeman): see Thesaurus:police officer

Hypernyms

• (thief): see Thesaurus:thief

Related terms

• (hook on a pole): gaff, panking pole