Rood steeple

Rood \Rood\ (r[=oo]d), n. [AS. r[=o]d a cross; akin to OS.
   r[=o]da, 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.
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   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.
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               Savior, in thine image seen
               Bleeding on that precious rood.    --Wordsworth.
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   2. A measure of five and a half yards in length; a rod; a
      perch; a pole. [Prov. Eng.]
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   3. The fourth part of an acre, or forty square rods.
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   {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.
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Steeple \Stee"ple\ (st[=e]"p'l), n. [OE. stepel, AS. st[=e]pel,
   st[=y]pel; akin to E. steep, a.] (Arch.)
   A spire; also, the tower and spire taken together; the whole
   of a structure if the roof is of spire form. See {Spire}. "A
   weathercock on a steeple." --Shak.
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   {Rood steeple}. See {Rood tower}, under {Rood}.

   {Steeple bush} (Bot.), a low shrub ({Spiraea tomentosa})
      having dense panicles of minute rose-colored flowers;
      hardhack.

   {Steeple chase}, a race across country between a number of
      horsemen, to see which can first reach some distant
      object, as a church steeple; hence, a race over a
      prescribed course obstructed by such obstacles as one
      meets in riding across country, as hedges, walls, etc.

   {Steeple chaser}, one who rides in a steeple chase; also, a
      horse trained to run in a steeple chase.

   {Steeple engine}, a vertical back-acting steam engine having
      the cylinder beneath the crosshead.

   {Steeple house}, a church. [Obs.] --Jer. Taylor.
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