a crucifix, esp one set on a beam or screen at the entrance to the chancel of a church
b.
(as modifier)
rood beam
rood arch
rood screen
2.
the Cross on which Christ was crucified
3.
a unit of area equal to one quarter of an acre or 0.10117 hectares
4.
a unit of area equal to 40 square rods
Word origin
Old English rōd; related to Old Saxon rōda, Old Norse rōtha
rood in American English
(rud)
noun
1. Archaic
a cross as used in crucifixion; specif., the cross on which Jesus was crucified
2.
any cross representing this; crucifix, esp. a large one at the entrance to the chancel or choir of a medieval church, often supported on a rood beam or rood screen
3. British
a.
an old unit of linear measure varying locally from 51⁄2 to 8 yards; sometimes, 1 rod
b.
an old unit of land measure usually equal to 1⁄4 acre (40 square rods)
Word origin
ME rode < OE rod, a cross, measure; akin to rodd: see rod
Examples of 'rood' in a sentence
rood
Her fingertips traced the shape of a silver rood at the center.