The Probert Encyclopaedia of Architecture

STOOP

Originally, a stoop was a covered porch with seats, at a house door based on the Dutch stoep as introduced by the Dutch into New York. Afterwards the term became applied to an out-of-door flight of stairs of from seven to fourteen steps, with platform and parapets, leading to an entrance door some distance above the street like the French perron. Hence, the term applies to any porch, platform, entrance stairway, or small veranda, at a house door.
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