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Webster 1913 Edition


Crouch

Crouch

(krouch; 129)
,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Crouched
(kroucht)
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Crouching
.]
[OE.
cruchen
,
crouchen
,
crouken
; cf. E.
creep
, G.
krauchen
,
kriechen
, or E.
crook
to bend, also
crouch
to cross.]
1.
To bend down; to stoop low; to lie close to the ground with the logs bent, as an animal when waiting for prey, or in fear.
Now
crouch
like a cur.
Beau. & Fl.
2.
To bend servilely; to stoop meanly; to fawn; to cringe.
“A crouching purpose.”
Wordsworth.
Must I stand and
crouch

Under your testy humor?
Shakespeare

Crouch

,
Verb.
T.
[OE.
cruchen
,
crouchen
, from
cruche
,
crouche
, cross. Cf.
Crosier
,
Crook
.]
1.
To sign with the cross; to bless.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
2.
To bend, or cause to bend, as in humility or fear.
She folded her arms across her chest,
And
crouched
her head upon her breast.
Colerige.

Webster 1828 Edition


Crouch

CROUCH

,
Verb.
I.
[G., to creep, to stoop, to cringe.]
1.
To bend down; to stoop low; to lie close to the ground; as an animal. A dog crouches to his master; a lion crouches in the thicket.
2.
To bend servilely; to stoop meanly; to fawn; to cringe.
Every one that is left in thine house shall come and crouch to him for a piece of bread. 1 Samuel 2.

CROUCH

,
Verb.
T.
[See Cross.] To sign with the cross; to bless. [Not in use.]