Stagnate

v. i. [imp. & p. p. STAGNATED; p. pr. & vb. n. STAGNATING.] [Lat. stagnare, stagnatum, from stagnum, a piece of standing water; It. stagnare, O. Fr. stagner, Sp. estancarse.]

1Sense 1. To cease to flow; to be motionless; as, blood stagnates in the veins of an animal; to become impure by want of motion; air stagnates in a close room.

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

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