stoup

[ stoop ]

noun

1. a basin for holy water, as at the entrance of a church.
2. Scot. a pail or bucket.
3. Scot. and North England.
   1. a drinking vessel, as a cup or tankard, of various sizes.
   2. the amount it holds.

stoup

/ stuːp /

noun

1. a small basin for holy water
2. dialect.
   Alsostowp a bucket or drinking vessel

Word History and Origins

Origin of stoup¹

1350–1400; Middle English stowp < Old Norse staup drinking vessel; cognate with Old English stēap flagon

Word History and Origins

Origin of stoup¹

C14 (in the sense: bucket): of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse staup beaker, Old English stēap flagon; see steep ¹

Example Sentences

Much had been learned and discovered with one significant find being a stoup, or basin, which was probably used by monks in Edward the Confessor’s church to wash their hands as they entered.

From The Guardian

Churchgoers have been asked to stop shaking hands, communal cups are in storage and holy water stoups are dry.

From Fox News

Churchgoers have been asked to stop shaking hands, communal cups are in storage, and holy water stoups are dried out.

From Fox News

They said holy water should be replaced more often in church stoups and a protective cloth installed on the grills separating priests and worshippers in confessional boxes.

From Seattle Times

My mother had a stoup of wine lain at her side in her last hours—I recall it now, though I did not understand it then.

From Literature

Related Words

• coffee cup
• jug