Hypertext Webster Gateway: "swoop"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Swoop \Swoop\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Swooped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Swooping}.] [OE. swopen, usually, to sweep, As. sw[=a]pan 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. sw[=i]fan 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.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Swoop \Swoop\, v. i.
1. To descend with closed wings from a height upon prey, as a
hawk; to swoop.
2. To pass with pomp; to sweep. [Obs.] --Drayton.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Swoop \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.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
swoop
n 1: rapid sliding up or down the musical scale; "the violinist
was indulgent with his swoops and slides" [syn: {slide}]
2: a very rapid raid
3: a swift descent through the air
v 1: move down on as if in an attack; "The raptor swooped down on
its prey"; "The teacher swooped down upon the new
students" [syn: {pounce}]
2: move with a sweep, or in a swooping arc
3: seize or catch with a swooping motion [syn: {swoop up}]
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