crouch

[ krouch ]

verb (used without object)

1. to stoop or bend low.
2. to bend close to the ground, as an animal preparing to spring or shrinking with fear.
3. to bow or stoop servilely; cringe.

verb (used with object)

1. to bend low.

noun

1. the act of crouching.

crouch

/ kraʊtʃ /

verb

1. intr to bend low with the limbs pulled up close together, esp (of an animal) in readiness to pounce
2. intr to cringe, as in humility or fear
3. tr to bend (parts of the body), as in humility or fear

noun

1. the act of stooping or bending

Other Words From

• croucher noun
• crouching·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of crouch¹

1175–1225; Middle English crouchen, perhaps blend of couchen to lie down ( couch ) and croken to crook ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of crouch¹

C14: perhaps from Old French crochir to become bent like a hook, from croche hook

Example Sentences

“One can hear the essences of all of those bandstands, concert jobs, dances, parties and jam sessions in the freedom of his beat and command of tempo,” critic Stanley Crouch, a drummer himself, wrote for the online magazine Slate.

From Los Angeles Times

But Schiff said he’s not unaccustomed to working from a defensive crouch.

From Los Angeles Times

Former England striker Peter Crouch felt just as strongly.

From BBC

BBC Sport’s Chris Sutton described it as a "brain freeze", former Leeds forward Lucy Ward said on TNT it was a "shambles" and "farcical", while ex-England striker Peter Crouch called it a "moment of madness".

From BBC

Eddie Crouch, who chairs the British Dental Association, said: "No dental practice would really ask you for details like your passport number and it's pretty unusual for most NHS dental practices to take payment in advance, so when you see those signs and are asked for those on any website, you should immediately be worried that perhaps the site is not legitimate."

From BBC

Related Words

• bend
• cower
• grovel
• huddle
• hunch
• kneel
• squat
• stoop
• wince