Rood /(ro͡od)/

Rood

n.
  1. A representation in sculpture or in painting of the cross with Christ hanging on it.
    Savior, in thine image seen Bleeding on that precious rood.
  2. A measure of five and a half yards in length; a rod; a perch; a pole. [Prov. Eng.]
  3. The fourth part of an acre, or forty square rods.

Phrases & Compounds

By the rood
by the cross; -- a phrase formerly used in swearing.
Rood beam
a beam across the chancel of a church, supporting the rood.
Rood loft
a loft or gallery, in a church, on which the rood and its appendages were set up to view.
Rood screen
a screen, between the choir and the body of the church, over which the rood was placed.
Rood tower
a tower at the intersection of the nave and transept of a church; -- when crowned with a spire it was called also rood steeple.
Rood tree
the cross.