swoop

UK /ˈswuːp/ US /ˈswuːp/
verb 5noun 3

Definitions

verb

1

To fly or glide downwards suddenly; to plunge (in the air) or nosedive.

The lone eagle swooped down into the lake, snatching its prey, a small fish.

2

To move swiftly, as if with a sweeping movement, especially to attack something.

The dog had enthusiastically swooped down on the bone.

There was a person called Nana who ruled the nursery. Sometimes she took no notice of the playthings lying about, and sometimes, for no reason whatever, she went swooping about like a great wind and hustled them away in cupboards.

3

To fall on at once and seize; to catch while on the wing.

And his Eagles, which can with the same ease as a kite swoops a chicken, snatch up a strong built Chamber of wood 12 foot square, & well crampt & fortified with Iron, with all its furniture, & a man besides, & carry it to the Clouds?

4

To seize; to catch up; to take with a sweep.

Thus the Phyſitian looks with another Eye on the Medicinal hearb, then the grazing Oxe, which ſwoops it in with the common graſs: […]

And now at last you come to swoop it all.

5

To pass with pomp; to sweep.

Proude Tamer swoopes along, with such a lustie traine / As fits so brave a flood two Countries that divides: […]

noun

1

An instance, or the act of suddenly plunging downward.

The quality of decision is like the well-timed swoop of a falcon which enables it to strike and destroy its victim. – Sun Tzu

One evening, when the Boy was going to bed, he couldn't find the china dog that always slept with him. Nana was in a hurry, and it was too much trouble to hunt for china dogs at bedtime, so she simply looked about her, and seeing that the toy cupboard door stood open, she made a swoop.

2

A sudden act of seizing.

Fortune's a right whore. If she give ought, she deals it in small parcels, that she may take away all at one swoop.

3

A quick passage from one note to the next.

Originally, computers' attempts at making music were recognizable by their beeps and boops and weird swoops.

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