Stooped Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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stooped
[stuหpt ]
Definitions
physical posture
To stoop means to bend the body forward and downward. This action often occurs when a person leans over something or picks up an item from the ground. Stooping can also indicate a physical limitation, such as age or injury, causing someone to walk or stand with a bent posture. It is commonly associated with actions like picking up a child or retrieving something from a low place.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He stooped to tie his shoelace.
- The old man was stooped over as he walked.
- She had to stoop down to enter the small door.
behavioral attitude
Stooping can also refer to adopting a servile or submissive position in social interaction. This usage conveys a sense of lowering oneself in dignity or status, often showing deference or respect to someone of a higher standing. This can manifest in body language or actions that imply a lower social status, such as bowing or yielding.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He stooped to the demands of his superiors.
- She refused to stoop to petty arguments.
- In negotiations, he stooped to flatter the client.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Psychology
- Body posture, like stooping, can affect mood; people who adopt an open posture often feel more confident.
- A stooped posture is sometimes linked to feelings of sadness or defeat.
- Research has suggested that how we hold our bodies can influence our emotions and mental state.
Culture
- In many cultures, stooping or bowing is a gesture of respect, especially in greetings.
- Traditional childrenโs stories often depict wise elders with a stooped figure, signifying wisdom gained over years.
- In some Asian cultures, stooping is a customary sign of politeness, showing humility in social interactions.
Literature
- Characters in novels often stoop to symbolize a moral or emotional burden they carry.
- In poetry, a stooped figure can represent the weight of time or loss, enhancing the emotional undertone.
- Famous authors like Charles Dickens used stooped characters to illustrate the plight of the poor and downtrodden in society.
Origin of 'stooped'
Main points about word origin
- The word 'stoop' comes from the Old English 'stupan', meaning to bend or incline.
- Related to the Middle Dutch 'stoepen', which meant to bend or lean.
- In Shakespearean times, the term was also associated with being humble or submissive.
The word 'stooped' originates from the Old English word 'stupan,' which meant 'to descend' or 'to bend.' It is related to similar terms in other Germanic languages, such as the Old Norse 'stรบpa' and the Dutch 'stompen,' both signifying a bending or lowering motion. Over time, the term has evolved and has been used in various contexts, ranging from physical descriptions to metaphorical uses in literature and speech. The transition from a purely physical meaning to one encompassing social behaviors indicates the word's flexibility in the English language. By the 15th century, 'stoop' was recognized not just as a physical action, but also as a way to denote submission or lowering oneself in a hierarchical context. Today, 'stooped' captures a range of meanings, symbolizing both physical posture and social humility.