stoop
UK: stuːp | US: stuːp
v. to bend the body forward and downward
v. to lower oneself morally or socially
n. a forward bend of the head and shoulders
n. a small porch or staircase at the entrance of a building
The word "stoop" originates from Old English stūpian, meaning "to bend or bow." It is related to Old Norse stúpa ("to tilt") and Middle Dutch stūpen ("to bow"). The core idea of bending persists in both physical (e.g., bending the body) and metaphorical (e.g., lowering oneself) meanings. The noun sense of a porch likely derives from the architectural feature’s "lowered" or stepped structure.
She had to stoop to pick up the fallen coins.
He refused to stoop to dishonest tactics.
The elderly man walked with a slight stoop.
They sat on the stoop, watching the sunset.
The doorway was so low that everyone had to stoop to enter.