rood

n. [ AS. rōd a cross; akin to OS. rōda, 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 ]

☞ 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 ]