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

"Now you won't suffer because the others are clean and you are not," she says, crouching as she brushes a leg bone.

Read more on Barron's

I crouch on the floor and ruthlessly Google image search nearly every piece, sweating profusely under the flimsy output of a nearby fan and the confused gaze of the guy behind the counter.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Burbank police wrote on Instagram, sharing a picture of the men crouched below the balcony railing with a label saying “Suspects” and an arrow pointing down at them.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

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

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

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

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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