stoop

Meanings

1. A stooping, bent position of the body.
2. An accelerated descent in flight, as that for an attack.

1. To bend the upper part of the body forward and downward to a half-squatting position; crouch.
2. To lower oneself; to demean oneself in doing something below one's status, standards, or morals.
3. Of a bird of prey: to swoop down on its prey.
4. To cause to incline downward; to slant.
5. To cause to submit; to prostrate.
6. To yield; to submit; to bend, as by compulsion; to assume a position of humility or subjection.
7. To descend from rank or dignity; to condescend.

1. A vessel for holding liquids; like a flagon but without the spout.

1. The staircase and landing or porch leading to the entrance of a residence.
2. The threshold of a doorway; a doorstep.

1. A post or pillar, especially a gatepost or a support in a mine.

Etymology

From Middle English stoupen, from Old English stūpian (“to bow, bend”), from Proto-West Germanic *stūpōn, from Proto-Germanic *stūpōną, *stūpijaną (“to stand out”), from Proto-Indo-European *(s)tewb- (“to push, butt, knock”). Compare steep. Cognate with Dutch stuipen (“to bend the upper part of the body forward and downward”), Old Norse stúpa (“to stoop”). Related also to Old Frisian stēpa (“to help”), Old Norse steypa (“to cause to stoop, cast down, overthrow”).