Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Stagnate \Stag"nate\ (st[a^]g"n[=a]t), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
   {Stagnated}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Stagnating}.] [L. stagnatus, p.
   p. of stagnare to stagnate, make stagnant, from stagnum a
   piece of standing water. See {Stank} a pool, and cf.
   {Stanch}, v. t.]
   1. To cease to flow; to be motionless; as, blood stagnates in
      the veins of an animal; hence, to become impure or foul by
      want of motion; as, air stagnates in a close room.

   2. To cease to be brisk or active; to become dull or
      inactive; as, commerce stagnates; business stagnates.

            Ready-witted tenderness . . . never stagnates in
            vain lamentations while there is any room for hope.
                                                  --Sir W.
                                                  Scott.