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

Video clips of him crouching and then being whisked away from a rally in the Copperbelt province shocked Zambians and many people, irrespective of their political affiliation, condemned what happened.

Read more on BBC

He had toiled at car washes the whole time — crouching to scrub tires, stretching to dry roofs and returning home each night with aching heels and knots in his neck.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The creature is crouched by the sofa, distracted by something, by … pizza?

Read more on Literature

Boris crouched down, Constantin held out his arms, and the two boys flew at each other in a violent whirl of arms and legs.

Read more on Literature

The children crouched on their chairs, alert and ready to pounce.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

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