loping
UK[ˈləʊpɪŋ]US[ˈloʊpɪŋ]
adj
moving with a long, bounding stride.
verb (present participle)
to run or move with a long, easy stride.
Etymology
the verb 'lope' entered middle english from old norse 'hlaupa', meaning "to leap, run." this norse term shares a common proto-germanic ancestor (hlaupaną) with the old english word 'hlēapan', which evolved into the modern english 'leap'. the semantic core has consistently involved a long, springing, or bounding motion. the '-ing' suffix is a productive english inflection, forming the present participle or a related adjective. thus, 'loping' describes the characteristic motion derived from this ancient root for a running leap, conveying a sense of effortless, ground-covering strides.
Analysis
the word 'loping' is the present participle or adjective form of the verb 'lope'. it is not productively formed from separate, meaningful morphemes in modern english. the core 'lope' is a simplex unit.
Examples
the wolf was loping effortlessly across the snowy plain.
she watched the athlete loping around the track with graceful, elongated steps.
a loping gait can be more energy-efficient for covering long distances than a sprint.