The term 'Stoops to Conquer' is a phrase from the 1773 play of the same name by Irish playwright Oliver Goldsmith. The play is a comedy of manners that follows the story of two young lovers who must overcome various obstacles in order to be together. The phrase 'stoops to conquer' refers to the idea that one must sometimes lower oneself in order to achieve success. In the crossword, the solution for the three-letter word is SHE, which could refer to the female protagonist of the play.