groan

—groaner, n. —groaningly, adv.

/grohn/, n.

1. a low, mournful sound uttered in pain or grief: the groans of dying soldiers.

2. a deep, inarticulate sound uttered in derision, disapproval, desire, etc.

3. a deep grating or creaking sound due to a sudden or continued overburdening, as with a great weight: We heard the groan of the ropes as the crane lowered the heavy cargo into the ship's hold.

v.i.

4. to utter a deep, mournful sound expressive of pain or grief.

5. to make a deep, inarticulate sound expressive of derision, disapproval, desire, etc.

6. to make a sound resembling a groan; resound harshly: The steps of the old house groaned under my weight.

7. to be overburdened or overloaded.

8. to suffer greatly or lamentably: groaning under an intolerable burden.

v.t.

9. to utter or express with groans.

[bef. 900; ME gronen, OE granian; c. G greinen to whine]

Syn. 1. GROAN, MOAN refer to sounds indicating deep suffering. A GROAN is a brief, strong, deep-throated sound emitted involuntarily under pressure of pain or suffering: The wounded man groaned when they lifted him. A MOAN is a prolonged, more or less continuous, low, inarticulate sound indicative of suffering, either physical or mental: She was moaning after the operation. She did not weep, but moaned softly.

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