GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

last match results

Found 3 definitions

1.       
   Swoop , v. t. [imp. & p. p. Swooped ; p. pr. & vb. n. Swooping.] [OE. swopen, usually, to sweep, As. swāpan to sweep, to rush; akin to G. schweifen to rove, to ramble, to curve, OHG. sweifan to whirl, Icel. sveipa to sweep; also to AS. swīfan to move quickly. Cf. Sweep, Swift, a. & n., Swipe, Swivel.]
   To fall on at once and seize; to catch while on the wing; as, a hawk swoops a chicken.
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   To seize; to catch up; to take with a sweep.
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   And now at last you came to swoop it all.
   Dryden.
   
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   The grazing ox which swoops it [the medicinal herb] in with the common grass.
   Glanvill.
   
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2.       
   Swoop, v. i.
   To descend with closed wings from a height upon prey, as a hawk; to stoop.
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   To pass with pomp; to sweep. [Obs.]
   Drayton.
   
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3.       
   Swoop, n. A falling on and seizing, as the prey of a rapacious bird; the act of swooping.
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   The eagle fell, . . . and carried away a whole litter of cubs at a swoop.
   L'Estrange.
   
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