Link Centre Dictionary

swoop

UK/ˈswuːp/ US/ˈsuːp/ uncommon slang uk
verb (3) noun (3)

verb

1.

move down on as if in an attack

  • “The raptor swooped down on its prey”
  • “The teacher swooped down upon the new students”
Synonyms
2.

move with a sweep, or in a swooping arc

3.

seize or catch with a swooping motion

Synonyms

noun

1.

(music) rapid sliding up or down the musical scale

  • “the violinist was indulgent with his swoops and slides”
Synonyms
2.

a very rapid raid

3.

Origin

From Middle English swopen, from Old English swāpan (“to sweep”). Doublet of swaip. See also sweep, which was probably the basis for analogical restoration of /w/ in this word.

Phrases

  • one fell swoop

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

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WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.