swoop

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English swopen, from Old English swāpan (“to sweep”). Doublet of swaip. See also sweep, which was probably the basis for analogical restoration of /w/ in this word. === Pronunciation === enPR: swūp, IPA(key): /ˈswuːp/ (obsolete) enPR: sūp, IPA(key): /ˈsuːp/ Rhymes: -uːp === Verb === swoop (third-person singular simple present swoops, present participle swooping, simple past and past participle swooped) (intransitive) To fly or glide downwards suddenly; to plunge (in the air) or nosedive. Synonym: stoop (intransitive) To move swiftly, as if with a sweeping movement, especially to attack something. (transitive) To fall on at once and seize; to catch while on the wing. Quoted in 1971, The Scriblerian (volumes 4-5, page 2) And his Eagles, which can with the same ease as a kite swoops a chicken, snatch up a strong built Chamber of wood 12 foot square, & well crampt & fortified with Iron, with all its furniture, & a man besides, & carry it to the Clouds? (transitive) To seize; to catch up; to take with a sweep. (intransitive) To pass with pomp; to sweep. (UK, prison slang) To search the ground for discarded cigarette butts that can be made into new cigarettes. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Noun === swoop (plural swoops) An instance, or the act of suddenly plunging downward. The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim. – Sun Tzu A sudden act of seizing. (music) A quick passage from one note to the next. ==== Translations ==== === See also === one fell swoop === References ===