Stag·nate v. i. [imp. & p. p. Stagnated p. pr. & vb. n. Stagnating.]
 1. To cease to flow; to be motionless; as, blood stagnates in the veins of an animal; hence, to become impure or foul by want of motion; as, air stagnates in a close room.
 2. To cease to be brisk or active; to become dull or inactive; as, commerce stagnates; business stagnates.
    Ready-witted tenderness . . . never stagnates in vain lamentations while there is any room for hope.   --Sir W. Scott.