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 Word Forms

• croucher noun
• crouchingly 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

The American family reeled as children dwindled into crouched obsessives, scrolling and snapping and cultivating likes.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Hank’s not wrong that a man in his defensive crouch can’t exonerate himself.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

He said he then he tried to leave and was shot as he moved in a crouching position across the courtyard.

Read more on BBC

I went into the hole and crouched down in the first cell off to the right.

Read more on Salon

They crouched down to perrear in their friend groups and swayed their hands to the Caribbean rhythms.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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