m. [Ulf. hruk = crowing; A. S. hrôc; Engl. rook; O. H. G. hruoh]:—a rook, Edda (Gl.), Ht., Lex. Poët. passim. hróka-ræða, u, f. long-winded foolish talk, croaking; in the popular Icel. phrase, setja upp hrókaræðu, to set up long-winded talk, begin a ‘long yarn,’ which reminds one of the Goth. sense; um hann mælti Sæmundr bróðir Páls, at hann væri hrókr alls fagnaðar hvargi er hann væri staddr, referring to his conversation and cheerfulness in company, Bs. (Páls S.) i. 137.

β. a term of abuse, a croaker, scurra garrulus, Kormak, Orkn. (in a verse); heimskr hrókr, Fbr. (in a verse). 2. a pr. name, Fas.

II. [from the Indian roch = elephant’s castle, through the Engl.], the rook or castle in chess; skáka í hróks-valdi, to check in the guard of the rook; eiga sér hrók í horni. hróks-mát, n. checkmate with the rook, Mag.