from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Stagnate \Stag"nate\ (st[a^]g"n[=a]t), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
{Stagnated} (-n[asl]*t[e^]d); p. pr. & vb. n. {Stagnating}.]
[L. stagnatus, p. p. of stagnare to stagnate, make stagnant,
from stagnum a piece of standing water. See {Stank} a pool,
and cf. {Stanch}, v. t.]
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.
[1913 Webster]
2. To cease to be brisk or active; to become dull or
inactive; as, commerce stagnates; business stagnates.
[1913 Webster]
Ready-witted tenderness . . . never stagnates in
vain lamentations while there is any room for hope.
--Sir W.
Scott.
[1913 Webster]