ppl. a. [f. SWOOP v. + -ING2.]

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  † 1.  Sweeping along the ground; trailing. Obs.

2

1581.  [A. Gilby], Pleas. Dial. Soldier & Chapl., B ij. In this swouping blacke gowne, and this sarcenet haunting tippet.

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1602.  2nd Pt. Return fr. Parnass., I. ii. 262. Thy plainer verse … Is grac’d with a faire end and sooping traine.

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  2.  Descending with a rapid sweeping movement.

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1846.  Prowett, Prometh. Bound, 18. The swooping thunderbolt with flaming breath.

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1857.  J. Hamilton, Less. fr. Great Biog., 188. The Sea of Galilee … its waters … splashed up for a moment by the swooping pelican.

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