Added 9 October 2026
nook
/nʊk/ noun
In Latin: ferdingus, ferlingus Wiktionary
noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about nook at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
A small corner formed by two walls; an alcove.
There was a small broom for sweeping ash kept in the nook between the fireplace bricks and the wall.
-
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.
- A recess, cove or hollow.
verb
Origin
From Middle English noke, nok (“nook, corner, angle”), of uncertain origin. Perhaps from Old English hnoc, hnocc (“hook, angle”), from Proto-Germanic *hnukkaz, *hnukkô (“a bend”), from Proto-Indo-European *knewg- (“to turn, press”), from Proto-Indo-European *ken- (“to pinch, press, bend”). If so, then also related to Scots nok (“small hook”), Norwegian dialectal nok, nokke (“hook, angle, bent object”), Danish nok (“hook”), Swedish nock (“ridge”), Faroese nokki (“crook”), Icelandic hnokki (“hook”), Dutch nok (“ridge”) or Dutch hoek (“corner”), Low German Nocke (“tip”), Old Norse hnúka (“to bend, crouch”), Old English ġehnycned (“drawn, pinched, wrinkled”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)