[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

rood \rood\ r=ood, n. as. r=od a cross; akin to os.
   r=oda, d. roede rod, g. ruthe, rute, ohg. ruota. cf. rod
   a measure.
   1. a representation in sculpture or in painting of the cross
      with christ hanging on it.
      1913 webster

   note: generally, the trinity is represented, the father as an
         elderly man fully clothed, with a nimbus around his
         head, and holding the cross on which the son is
         represented as crucified, the holy spirit descending in
         the form of a dove near the son's head. figures of the
         virgin mary and of st. john are often placed near the
         principal figures.
         1913 webster

               savior, in thine image seen
               bleeding on that precious rood.    --wordsworth.
         1913 webster

   2. a measure of five and a half yards in length; a rod; a
      perch; a pole. prov. eng.
      1913 webster

   3. the fourth part of an acre, or forty square rods.
      1913 webster

   by the rood, by the cross; -- a phrase formerly used in
      swearing. "no, by the rood, not so." --shak.

   rood beam arch., a beam across the chancel of a church,
      supporting the rood.

   rood loft arch., a loft or gallery, in a church, on which
      the rood and its appendages were set up to view. --gwilt.

   rood screen arch., a screen, between the choir and the
      body of the church, over which the rood was placed.
      --fairholt.

   rood tower arch., a tower at the intersection of the nave
      and transept of a church; -- when crowned with a spire it
      was called also rood steeple. --weale.

   rood tree, the cross. obs. "died upon the rood tree."
      --gower.
      1913 webster
see also:
rod by the rood rood beam rood loft rood screen rood tower 
rood steeple rood tree 

Rood >> R Words
Rood, definition of term: Rood
rood_pag1.html

Rood Loft >> R Words
Rood Loft, definition of term: Rood Loft
rood+loft_pag1.html

Rood Beam >> R Words
Rood Beam, definition of term: Rood Beam
rood+beam_pag1.html