groyn

Middle English

Alternative forms

Etymology

Borrowed from Old French groign (French groin), from Late Latin grunium, grunia. The variation in pronunciation probably reflects variation in Old French and in methods of adapting Old French phonemes.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /ˈɡrui̯n/, /ˈɡruːn/, /ˈɡriu̯n/, /ˈɡriːn/
  • (Northern) IPA(key): /ˈɡruːɳ(ə)/

Noun

groyn (plural groynes)

  1. A pig or hog's snout.
  2. A pig snout served as food.
  3. Complaining, criticism, reprimanding.
  4. (rare) A nose (usually an unsightly one).
  5. (rare) The trunk of an elephant.
  6. (rare) The head of a military force.

Descendants

  • English: groyne, groin
  • Scots: grone (possibly)
  • Yola: gring

References