Stoop, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Stooped p. pr. & vb. n. Stooping.]
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.”
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 aery 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·ing, a. & n. from Stoop. -- Stoop*ing*ly, adv.
◄ ►
stooping
adj : having the back and shoulders rounded; not erect; "a little
oldish misshapen stooping woman" [syn: hunched, round-backed,
round-shouldered, stooped, crooked]