Meanings
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1
noun
the crease and surrounding region where the lower abdomen meets the inner thigh
The goalkeeper left the field with a strained groin.
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2
noun
the curved edge or rib formed where two vaults intersect
Stone ribs emphasized each groin in the vaulted ceiling.
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3
noun
a rigid barrier built out from a shore to limit erosion or control sand and currents
The timber groin trapped sand along the beach.
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4
verb
to build or equip a vault or structure with groins
The builders groined the ceiling with intersecting stone ribs.
Thesaurus
Etymology
An alteration of Middle English grynde, from Old English grund ("ground, bottom, abyss"). The anatomical depression is the earliest modern sense; architectural and coastal senses apply the idea to an edge, hollow, or projecting structure.