groining

[groi-ning]

noun

the intersection of two vaults.

the construction of groined vaults.

Origin of groining

First recorded in 1645–55

groin

[groin]

noun

Anatomy. the fold or hollow on either side of the front of the body where the thigh joins the abdomen.

the general region of this fold or hollow.

Architecture. the curved line or edge formed by the intersection of two vaults.

Also groyne. a small jetty extending from a shore to prevent beach erosion.

verb (used with object)

Architecture. to form with groins.

Origin of groin

1350–1400; earlier grine, Middle English grinde; compare Old English grynde abyss, akin to grund bottom, ground¹

Related formsun·groined, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for groining

Historical Examples of groining

The bosses in the groining are yellow and green, as in the capitals.
Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Gloucester [2nd ed.]
H. J. L. J. Mass
The mouldings of the groining are extremely bold and simple.
Some Account of Gothic Architecture in Spain
George Edmund Street
In the side-aisles there is no groining, but only cross vaulting.
Account of a Tour in Normandy, Vol. II. (of 2)
Dawson Turner
Its vaulting was pointed, with groining resting on columns, whose capitals were either Romanesque or Gothic.
Rheims and the Battles for its Possession
Various
The ceiling beneath it is blue sprinkled with golden stars, and the groining of the arches which support it is golden also.
Stained Glass Tours in France
Charles Hitchcock Sherrill

British Dictionary definitions for groining

groin

noun

the depression or fold where the legs join the abdomenRelated adjective: inguinal

euphemistic the genitals, esp the testicles

a variant spelling (esp US) of groyne

architect a curved arris formed where two intersecting vaults meet

verb

(tr) architect to provide or construct with groins

Word Origin for groin

C15: perhaps from English grynde abyss; related to ground 1

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for groining

groin

1590s, earlier grine (1530s), from Middle English grynde "groin" (c.1400), originally "depression in the ground," from Old English grynde "abyss," perhaps also "depression, hollow," from Proto-Germanic *grundus (see ground). Altered 16c. by influence of loin or obsolete groin "snout." The architectural groin "edge formed by the intersection of two vaults" is from 1725.

groining in Medicine

groin

[groin]

n.

The crease or hollow at the junction of the inner part of each thigh with the trunk, together with the adjacent region and often including the external genitals.