A hook is a

tool A tool is an object that can extend an individual's ability to modify features of the surrounding environment or help them accomplish a particular task. Although many animals use simple tools, only human beings, whose use of stone tools dates ba ...

consisting of a length of material, typically metal, that contains a portion that is curved or indented, such that it can be used to grab onto, connect, or otherwise attach itself onto another object. In a number of uses, one end of the hook is pointed, so that this end can pierce another material, which is then held by the curved or indented portion. Some kinds of hooks, particularly fish hooks, also have a barb, a backwards-pointed projection near the pointed end of the hook to ensure that once the hook is embedded in its target, it can not easily be removed.

Variations

Bagging hook A sickle, bagging hook, reaping-hook or grasshook is a single-handed agricultural tool designed with variously curved blades and typically used for harvesting, or reaping, grain crops or cutting succulent forage chiefly for feeding livestock, ei ...

, a large sickle or reaping hook used for harvesting grain *

Bondage hook This is a list of BDSM equipment: Restraints * Armbinder, Monoglove * Anal hook * Ball lock * Bondage cuffs * Bondage mittens * Bondage harness * Bondage belt * Bondage hood * Bondage tape * Bondage yoke - a yoke for BDSM play * Chain * ...

, used in sexual bondage play *

Cabin hook A latch or catch (called sneck in Northern England and Scotland) is a type of mechanical fastener that joins two (or more) objects or surfaces while allowing for their regular separation. A latch typically engages another piece of hardware on t ...

, a hooked bar that engages into an eye screw, used on doors *

Cap hook A cap hook is a decorative hat ornament fashionable from the late Middle Ages through the Tudor period, used to pin up or decorate men's hat brims. Cap hooks were made of gold, silver, or silver-gilt base metal, and might be decorated with jewel ...

, hat ornament of the 15th and 16th centuries *

Cargo hook (helicopter) A cargo hook is a device suspended below a helicopter and allows the transport of external loads during flight. Common terms for this operation include slingwork, underslung loads, external loadwork, and external load operations. Hook types P ...

, different types of hook systems for helicopters * Crochet hook, used for crocheting thread or yarn *

Drapery hook The drapery hook is a hook designed for hanging drapery. It is often concealed within the drape's header tape The distinctive shape shown in the figure, with a sharp end and a blunt end, was patented by James William McGhee (1882–1968) in th ...

, for hanging drapery *

Dress hook A dress hook is a decorative clothing accessory of the medieval and Tudor periods used to fasten outer garments or to drape up skirts. Made of base metal or precious silver and silver-gilt, dress hooks are documented in wills and inventories, ...

, fashion accessory * Ear hook, to attach earrings * Fish hook, used to catch fish *

Flesh-hook 270px, The Dunaverney flesh-hook, Bronze Age Ireland Flesh-hook is a term for a variety of archaeological artifacts which have metal hooks and a long handle, or socket for a lost wooden handle. Though the term may be applied to objects from other ...

, used in cooking meat *

Grappling hook A grappling hook or grapnel is a device that typically has multiple hooks (known as ''claws'' or ''flukes'') attached to a rope; it is thrown, dropped, sunk, projected, or fastened directly by hand to where at least one hook may catch and hol ...

, a hook attached to a rope, designed to be thrown and snagged on a target * Hook and chain coupler * Hook (hand tool), also known as longshoreman's hook and bale hook, a tool used for securing and moving loads * Hook-and-eye closure, a clothing fastener * Hook and loop fastener * Lifting hook, for grabbing and lifting loads * Mail hook, for grabbing mail bags without stopping a train * Meat hook, for hanging up meat or carcasses of animals in butcheries and meat industry * Prosthetic hook or transradial prosthesis, part of a prosthetic arm for amputees *

Purse hook A purse hook (also known as a handbag hook or handbag hanger) is a type of hook meant to temporarily secure a purse or handbag to a table, sink or armrest. Such hooks have been available since the 1920s. Queen Elizabeth II was said to employ an S ...

, used to keep a woman's purse from touching the floor * Shepherd's hook, a staff used in herding sheep or other animals * Siege hook, an Ancient Roman weapon used to pull stones from a wall during a siege * Tailhook, used by aircraft to snag cables in order to slow down more quickly

References

Tools Ironmongery {{tool-stub