Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Stoop?

\Stoop\, n. [D. stoep.] (Arch.) Originally, a covered porch with seats, at a house door; the Dutch stoep as introduced by the Dutch into New York. Afterward, an out-of-door flight of stairs of from seven to fourteen steps, with platform and parapets, leading to an entrance door some distance above the street; the French perron. Hence, any porch, platform, entrance stairway, or small veranda, at a house door. [U. S.]
\Stoop\, n. [OE. stope, Icel. staup; akin to AS. ste['a]p, D. stoop, G. stauf, OHG. stouph.] A vessel of liquor; a flagon. [Written also {stoup}.] Fetch me a stoop of liquor. --Shak.
\Stoop\, n. [Cf. Icel. staup a knobby lump.] A post fixed in the earth. [Prov. Eng.]
\Stoop\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Stooped}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Stooping}.] [OE. stoupen; akin to AS. st?pian, OD. stuypen, Icel. st[=u]pa, Sw. stupa to fall, to tilt. Cf 5th {Steep}.] 1. To bend the upper part of the body downward and forward; to bend or lean forward; to incline forward in standing or walking; to assume habitually a bent position. 2. To yield; to submit; to bend, as by compulsion; to assume a position of humility or subjection. Mighty in her ships stood Carthage long, . . . Yet stooped to Rome, less wealthy, but more strong. --Dryden. These are arts, my prince, In which your Zama does not stoop to Rome. --Addison. 3. To descend from rank or dignity; to condescend. ``She stoops to conquer.'' --Goldsmith. Where men of great wealth stoop to husbandry, it multiplieth riches exceedingly. --Bacon. 4. To come down as a hawk does on its prey; to pounce; to souse; to swoop. The bird of Jove, stooped from his a["e]ry tour, Two birds of gayest plume before him drove. --Milton. 5. To sink when on the wing; to alight. And stoop with closing pinions from above. --Dryden. Cowering low With blandishment, each bird stooped on his wing. --Milton. Syn: To lean; yield; submit; condescend; descend; cower; shrink.
\Stoop\, v. t. 1. To bend forward and downward; to bow down; as, to stoop the body. ``Have stooped my neck.'' --Shak. 2. To cause to incline downward; to slant; as, to stoop a cask of liquor. 3. To cause to submit; to prostrate. [Obs.] Many of those whose states so tempt thine ears Are stooped by death; and many left alive. --Chapman. 4. To degrade. [Obs.] --Shak.
\Stoop\, n. 1. The act of stooping, or bending the body forward; inclination forward; also, an habitual bend of the back and shoulders. 2. Descent, as from dignity or superiority; condescension; an act or position of humiliation. Can any loyal subject see With patience such a stoop from sovereignty? --Dryden. 3. The fall of a bird on its prey; a swoop. --L'Estrange.