STOOP

I. verb Etymology: Middle English stoupen, from Old English stūpian; akin to Swedish stupa to fall, plunge, Old English stēap steep, deep Date: before 12th century intransitive verb 1. to bend the body or a part of the body forward and downward sometimes simultaneously bending the knees, to stand or walk with a forward inclination of the head, body, or shoulders, yield , submit , 3. to descend from a superior rank, dignity, or status, to lower oneself morally , 4. to move down from a height ; alight , to fly or dive down swiftly usually to attack prey, transitive verb debase , degrade , to bend (a part of the body) forward and downward, II. noun Date: 1571 1. an act of bending the body forward, a temporary or habitual forward bend of the back and shoulders, the descent of a bird especially on its prey, a lowering of oneself, III. noun see: step Date: 1755 a porch, platform, entrance stairway, or small veranda at a house door