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(), v. t.[imp. & p. p.Swooped (); p. pr. & vb. n.Swooping.] [OE. swopen, usually, to sweep, As. swpan 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. swfan to move quickly. Cf. Sweep, Swift, a. & n., Swipe, Swivel.] 1. To fall on at once and seize; to catch while on the wing; as, a hawk swoops a chicken. 2. To seize; to catch up; to take with a sweep. And now at last you came to swoop it all. Dryden. The grazing ox which swoops it [the medicinal herb] in with the common grass. Glanvill. Swoop v. i. 1. To descend with closed wings from a height upon prey, as a hawk; to stoop. 2. To pass with pomp; to sweep. [Obs.] Drayton. Swoop n.A falling on and seizing, as the prey of a rapacious bird; the act of swooping. The eagle fell, . . . and carried away a whole litter of cubs at a swoop. L'Estrange. スポンサード リンク
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