loin

[ loin ]

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.

loin

/ lɔɪn /

noun

1. Also calledlumbus anatomy the part of the lower back and sides between the pelvis and the ribs lumbar
2. a cut of meat from this part of an animal

Word History and Origins

Origin of loin¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of loin¹

C14: from Old French loigne, perhaps from Vulgar Latin lumbra (unattested), from Latin lumbus loin

Idioms and Phrases

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.

More idioms and phrases containing loin

see gird one's loins .

Example Sentences

There, workers methodically dismantle carcasses into primal cuts: chuck, rib, loin, flank, shank.

From Salon

The leanest pork cuts include the loin, tenderloin, center loin and ham.

From Seattle Times

There’s no way to tell for sure what goat his meat came from, he said — “It shows up in white wrapping and labeled, ‘loin’ and ‘shoulder.’

From Los Angeles Times

Prepare your own roasts using lean meats such as pork loin, beef sirloin or lamb.

From Salon

The dinner menu was already set for a reception planned for Friday night at the team hotel, with a smoked brisket carving station, along with pork loin, BBQ sliders and mac and cheese.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• border
• bottom
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• front
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• part
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