Pronunciation: [stˈuːp] (IPA) 
The word "stoup" is a noun that is spelled exactly as it is pronounced. It is pronounced as /stuːp/ in IPA phonetic transcription. This is a common word in British English and it refers to a basin or a container used for holy water. The word has its roots in Old French and Middle English. Although it looks like it should be pronounced as "stoop," the correct pronunciation is "stoup" with a long "u" sound.
Stoup is a noun that typically refers to a small basin or container used for sacred water in religious ceremonies, particularly in Christian practices. It is commonly found near the entrance of a church or other religious building, often mounted on a pedestal or affixed to a wall. The primary purpose of a stoup is for worshippers to dip their fingers or hands into the water and make the sign of the cross as a form of blessing or purification. The water in the stoup is usually holy water, which has been blessed by a priest or clergy member.
Historically, stoups were made of various materials such as stone, metal, or ceramic, although modern stoups may also be made of plastic. They can range in size and design, from simple and plain to ornate and decorative, depending on the architectural style of the church or the artistic preferences of the religious community.
In addition to its religious significance, stoup may also be used more broadly to describe any small basin or container for holding water or other liquids, particularly in a utilitarian or functional context. It can also be used metaphorically to refer to any source or supply of something, such as a fountain or wellspring of knowledge or inspiration.
A flagon; a basin for holy water at the entrance of a R. Cath. Ch; in Scot., a measure or vessel for liquids.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "stoup" is derived from the Old English word "stūp", which originally meant a drinking cup or vessel. It is believed to have come from the Proto-Germanic word "staupaz", meaning "cup" or "beaker". Over time, the meaning of "stoup" evolved to refer to a wide variety of containers or vessels used for holding liquids or even for holy water in religious ceremonies. Today, "stoup" is often used to describe a small basin or font found near the entrance of a church for the ritual of dipping one's fingers into holy water.
