rood
UK[ruːd]US[ruːd]
n
a crucifix, especially one positioned above the rood screen in a church.
n
a former measure of land area equal to a quarter of an acre.
Etymology
the english word 'rood' has a direct lineage from the old english 'rōd', which signified a pole, a measure of length, and, significantly, the cross on which jesus christ was crucified. this old english term is itself derived from proto-germanic 'rōdō', conveying the sense of a rod or a stake. the semantic narrowing from a general 'pole' to specifically the 'cross of christ' was solidified under the influence of christianity and latin 'crux' (cross), leading to its primary ecclesiastical meaning. the obsolete land measurement sense, a 'rood' being a quarter of an acre, also stems from the concept of a measuring rod or a squared area defined by such rods.
Analysis
the word is a simplex. it is a loanword from old english 'rōd', meaning 'rod, pole, cross'.
Examples
the carved wooden rood is a magnificent feature of the medieval cathedral.
in the old deeds, the plot was described as being one rood in size.
the choir stood in front of the rood screen, separating them from the nave.