Hypertext Webster Gateway: "crouch"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Crouch \Crouch\ (krouch; 129), v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Crouched}
(kroucht); p. pr. & vb. n. {Crouching}.] [OE. cruchen,
crouchen, crouken; cf. E. creep, G. krauchen, kriechen, or E.
crook to bend, also crouch to cross.]
1. To bend down; to stoop low; to lie close to the ground
with the logs bent, as an animal when waiting for prey, or
in fear.
Now crouch like a cur. --Beau. & Fl.
2. To bend servilely; to stoop meanly; to fawn; to cringe.
``A crouching purpose.'' --Wordsworth.
Must I stand and crouch Under your testy humor?
--Shak.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Crouch \Crouch\, v. t. [OE. cruchen, crouchen, from cruche,
crouche, cross. Cf. {Crosier}, {Crook}.]
1. To sign with the cross; to bless. [Obs.] --Chaucer.
2. To bend, or cause to bend, as in humility or fear.
She folded her arms across her chest, And crouched
her head upon her breast. --Colerige.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
crouch
n : the act of bending low with the limbs close to the body
v 1: bend one's back forward from the waist on down; "he crouched
down"; "She bowed before the Queen"; "The young man
stooped to pick up the girl's purse" [syn: {stoop}, {bend},
{bow}]
2: sit on one's heels; "In some cultures, the women give birth
while squatting" [syn: {squat}, {scrunch}, {scrunch up}, {hunker
down}]
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