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

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

From Los Angeles Times

And even more children will come home from school, haunted by the memory of crouching in silence, pressed against the corner of a dimly lit room during “active-shooter drills.”

From Salon

"He was in the corner of the lounge with his hands on his head, crouching in the corner and just sobbing. He was repeating 'I don't know what's the matter with me'."

From BBC

With the Brazilian not defending himself, the referee stopped the contest as an emotional Ngannou crouched against the cage, gathering his thoughts in victory.

From BBC

In a press conference the police said: "We observed a female crouched over against the upstairs front window of that house and located Mary deceased unfortunately within the property."

From BBC

Related Words

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