groaning

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.

• (General American) IPA^(key): /ˈɡɹoʊnɪŋ/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈɡɹəʊnɪŋ/

• Audio (US):

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• Rhymes: (General American) -oʊnɪŋ, (Received Pronunciation) -əʊnɪŋ

groaning (not comparable)

1. That groans.
2. (figuratively) Heavily laden, as if to creak under the strain.

   We sat down to a groaning table and feasted all evening.

groaning (plural groanings)

1. A low sound associated with extended suffering, sorrow, and toil.
   • 1997, Helen Papanikolas, A Greek Odyssey in the American West, page 5:

     From the nearby rail yards came clangings, groanings, chuggings.

2. (obsolete) Ellipsis of groaning time (“childbirth, labour”).

groaning

1. present participle and gerund of groan

• oranging, organing