stoop Hear it!

stoop1 definition

stoop (sto̵̅o̅p)

intransitive verb

  1. to bend the body forward or in a crouch
  2. to carry the head and shoulders or the upper part of the body habitually bent forward
    1. to condescend, or deign
    2. to demean or degrade oneself
  3. to pounce or swoop down, as a bird of prey
  4. Archaic to yield or submit

Etymology: ME stupen < OE stupian, akin to ON stūpa < IE *(s)teup- < base *(s)teu-, to strike > stock

transitive verb

  1. to bend (the head, etc.) forward
  2. Archaic to humble or debase

noun

  1. the act or position of stooping the body, esp. habitually
  2. the act of condescending
  3. a swoop, as by a hawk at prey

Related Forms:

stoop2 definition

stoop (sto̵̅o̅p)

noun

a small porch or platform with steps and, orig., seats, at the door of a house

Etymology: Du stoep, akin to Ger stufe: for IE base see step

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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