groaning
noun
- act or process of uttering with a groan
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈɡɹoʊnɪŋ/ / /ˈɡɹəʊnɪŋ/
adj
Etymology: From Middle English gronynge (“groaning”), from Old English grānung; equivalent to groan + -ing. Conflated with Middle English gronende, present participle of gronen, from Old English grāniende, present participle of grānian (“to groan”). Analyzable as groan + -ing.
- That groans.
- Heavily laden, as if to creak under the strain.
“We sat down to a groaning table and feasted all evening.”
noun
Etymology: From Middle English gronynge (“groaning”), from Old English grānung; equivalent to groan + -ing. Conflated with Middle English gronende, present participle of gronen, from Old English grāniende, present participle of grānian (“to groan”). Analyzable as groan + -ing.
- A low sound associated with extended suffering, sorrow, and toil.
“From the nearby rail yards came clangings, groanings, chuggings.”
- Ellipsis of groaning time (“childbirth, labour”).
verb
Etymology: From Middle English gronynge (“groaning”), from Old English grānung; equivalent to groan + -ing. Conflated with Middle English gronende, present participle of gronen, from Old English grāniende, present participle of grānian (“to groan”). Analyzable as groan + -ing.
- present participle and gerund of groan