Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Swoop \Swoop\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Swooped}; p. pr. & vb. n.
   {Swooping}.] [OE. swopen, usually, to sweep, As. sw[=a]pan to
   sweep, to rush; akin to G. schweifen to rove, to ramble, to
   curve, OHG. sweifan to whirl, Icel. sveipa to sweep; also to
   AS. sw[=i]fan to move quickly. Cf. {Sweep}, {Swift}, a. & n.,
   {Swipe}, {Swivel}.]
   1. To fall on at once and seize; to catch while on the wing;
      as, a hawk swoops a chicken.

   2. To seize; to catch up; to take with a sweep.

            And now at last you came to swoop it all. --Dryden.

            The grazing ox which swoops it [the medicinal herb]
            in with the common grass.             --Glanvill.

Swoop \Swoop\, v. i.
   1. To descend with closed wings from a height upon prey, as a
      hawk; to swoop.

   2. To pass with pomp; to sweep. [Obs.] --Drayton.

Swoop \Swoop\, n.
   A falling on and seizing, as the prey of a rapacious bird;
   the act of swooping.

         The eagle fell, . . . and carried away a whole litter
         of cubs at a swoop.                      --L'Estrange.

Source : WordNet®

swoop
     n 1: (music) rapid sliding up or down the musical scale; "the
          violinist was indulgent with his swoops and slides"
          [syn: {slide}]
     2: a very rapid raid
     3: a swift descent through the air

swoop
     v 1: move down on as if in an attack; "The raptor swooped down on
          its prey"; "The teacher swooped down upon the new
          students" [syn: {pounce}]
     2: move with a sweep, or in a swooping arc
     3: seize or catch with a swooping motion [syn: {swoop up}]