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stoop¹

(stp)

v. stooped, stoop·ing, stoops

v.intr.

1. To bend forward and down from the waist or the middle of the back: had to stoop in order to fit into the cave.

2. To stand or walk, especially habitually, with the head and upper back bent forward.

a. To lower or debase oneself: I wouldn't stoop to such behavior.

b. To descend from a superior social position; condescend: Would the prince stoop to have a meal with peasants?

4. To swoop down, as a bird in pursuing its prey.

v.tr.

1. To bend (oneself, the head, or the body) forward and down.

2. To debase; humble: stooped himself to such disgraceful acts.

1. The act of stooping.

2. A forward bending of the head and upper back, especially when habitual: walked with a stoop.

3. An act of self-abasement or condescension.

4. A descent, as of a bird of prey.

[Middle English stoupen, from Old English stūpian.]

Synonyms: stoop¹, condescend, deign
These verbs mean to descend to a level considered inappropriate to one's dignity: stooped to contemptible methods to realize their ambitions; won't condescend to acknowledge his rival's greeting; didn't even deign to reply.

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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