brook
UK: brʊk | US: brʊk
n. a small stream
vt. to tolerate or endure (something disagreeable)
The word "brook" originates from Old English brōc, meaning "a stream or small watercourse." It is a Germanic residue word with a compact structure, making it non-splittable into smaller morphemes in modern English. The verb form ("to tolerate") emerged later, likely influenced by the idea of "bearing" or "flowing with" adversity, metaphorically extending the word's meaning.
The children played by the brook, skipping stones across its clear water.
She would not brook any interference in her personal affairs.
A narrow wooden bridge crossed the brook near the village.
His pride could not brook such an insult.
The brook bubbled softly as it wound through the forest.