loin

American  

[loin] / lɔɪn /

noun

1. Usually loins. the part or parts of the human body or of a quadruped animal on either side of the spinal column, between the false ribs and hipbone.

2. a cut of meat from this region of an animal, especially a portion including the vertebrae of such parts.

3. loins,

   1. the parts of the body between the hips and the lower ribs, especially regarded as the seat of physical strength and generative power.

   2. the genital and pubic area; genitalia.

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idioms

1. gird (up) one's loins, to prepare oneself for something requiring readiness, strength, or endurance.

   He girded his loins to face his competitor.

loin British  

/ lɔɪn /

noun

1. Also called: lumbus.  anatomy the part of the lower back and sides between the pelvis and the ribs

2. a cut of meat from this part of an animal

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loin More Idioms  

1. see gird one's loins.

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Etymology

Origin of loin

1275–1325; Middle English loyne < Middle French lo ( i ) gne, perhaps < Vulgar Latin *lumbea, noun use of feminine of *lumbeus of the loins, equivalent to Latin lumb ( us ) loin + -eus -eous

Explanation

Your loin is the part of your body just above your hip, but below your rib cage. A low-slung belt hangs more or less along your loin. Loin often refers generally to a person's body below their ribs, though rarely by doctors (who like to get more specific). At the butcher, though, it means a particular cut of meat, usually beef or pork, from an animal's low back and side. This is the earliest meaning of the word, which comes from the Old French loigne, "hip or haunch." In the Bible, loin means "part of the body that should be covered with clothing."

Example Sentences

Quivoron previously made a short film, “Au Loin, Baltimore,” about the motorcycle rodeo subculture in the Paris suburbs, and clearly knows it well.

From Washington Post • Mar. 20, 2023

Loin chops are similar to rib chops, but they're cut from the "saddle" part of the loin, farther down the spine.

From Salon • Mar. 16, 2021

Loin muscles, which run lengthwise along the spine, get very little work and so are naturally tender.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2015

The Weary Kind, sung by Jeff Bridges in Crazy Heart is also nominated, along with Loin de Paname from French movie Paris 36.

From BBC • Feb. 18, 2010

Loin une raison trop timide Les froids poetes qu’elle guide 42 Languissent et tombent souvent.

From Ebrietatis Encomium or, the Praise of Drunkenness by Samber, Robert

Related Words

• border
• bottom
• face
• front
• hand
• part
• rear
• sector
• surface
• top
• view