Loin

Pronunciation

• IPA: /lɔɪn/
• Rhymes: -ɔɪn

Origin

From Middle English loyne, from Old French loigne, assumedly from Late Latin root *lumbea, from Latin lumbus ("loin"), from Proto-Germanic *landwį̄, *landwijō ("waist, loins"), from Proto-Indo-European *lendhw- ("kidney, waist"). Cognate with Old English lendenu, Dutch lende, German Lende, Swedish länd ("haunch, loin"), Proto-Slavic *lędvьja (Russian лядвея). See also lende.

Full definition of loin

Noun

1. The part of the body (of humans and quadrupeds) at each side of the backbone, between the ribs and hips
2. Any of several cuts of meat taken from this part of an animal

Usage notes

The plural loins is used for a wider body region, or specifically as a euphemism for the pubic region

Derived terms

Related terms

• lumbago
• lumbar

Anagrams

• lino
• lion
• noil