Rood
/ruːd/noun
A cross, especially the cross of Christ; also an archaic word for the crucifix or a large cross.
Did you know?In Old English, rood could simply mean a cross, and the famous Ruthwell Cross was once called a rood because the word was tied to the physical object long before it became a poetic relic.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*reidh-
“to ride, travel”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*rīdaną
“to ride”
Old English
OE
rōd
“a cross, crucifix, or pole”
Middle English
ME
rood
“a cross, especially the Cross of Christ”
Modern English
English
rood
“an archaic word for a cross or crucifix”