from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Stoop \Stoop\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Stooped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Stooping}.] [OE. stoupen; akin to AS. st?pian, OD. stuypen,
Icel. st[=u]pa, Sw. stupa to fall, to tilt. Cf 5th {Steep}.]
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.
[1913 Webster]
2. To yield; to submit; to bend, as by compulsion; to assume
a position of humility or subjection.
[1913 Webster]
Mighty in her ships stood Carthage long, . . .
Yet stooped to Rome, less wealthy, but more strong.
--Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
These are arts, my prince,
In which your Zama does not stoop to Rome.
--Addison.
[1913 Webster]
3. To descend from rank or dignity; to condescend. "She
stoops to conquer." --Goldsmith.
[1913 Webster]
Where men of great wealth stoop to husbandry, it
multiplieth riches exceedingly. --Bacon.
[1913 Webster]
4. To come down as a hawk does on its prey; to pounce; to
souse; to swoop.
[1913 Webster]
The bird of Jove, stooped from his aery tour,
Two birds of gayest plume before him drove.
--Milton.
[1913 Webster]
5. To sink when on the wing; to alight.
[1913 Webster]
And stoop with closing pinions from above. --Dryden.
[1913 Webster]
Cowering low
With blandishment, each bird stooped on his wing.
--Milton.
[1913 Webster]
Syn: To lean; yield; submit; condescend; descend; cower;
shrink.
[1913 Webster]