Definition

1. Noun:
   • The part of the body on either side of the spine between the lowest ribs and the hip bones: In humans and animals, the loin is the region of the lower back.
   • A cut of meat from this region of an animal: This refers to meat, especially from cattle or pigs, taken from the area between the ribs and the rump.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Anatomical Region):
  • He felt a sharp pain in his loin after lifting the heavy box.
  • The massage therapist focused on relieving tension in her lower back and loins.
• Noun (Cut of Meat):
  • For dinner, we grilled a tender pork loin with herbs.
  • The recipe calls for a two-pound beef loin roast.

Advanced Usage

• "to gird (up) one's loins": To prepare oneself for action or a difficult task. This is an idiomatic expression with biblical origins, historically referring to tucking long robes into a belt to move freely.
  • With the project deadline approaching, she girded her loins for a week of hard work.

Variants and Related Words

• Loincloth (n): A piece of cloth worn around the loins, often as a basic garment.
  • In ancient times, a simple loincloth was common attire for laborers.

Synonyms

• Lower back: (For the anatomical sense)
• Lumbar region: (A more technical term for the anatomical area)
• Sirloin, Tenderloin: (Specific cuts of meat from the loin area)

Related Idioms

• "Fruit of one's loins": A literary or formal way to refer to one's children or offspring.
  • He looked with pride upon the fruits of his loins.

Noun

1. either side of the backbone between the hipbone and the ribs in humans as well as quadrupeds
2. a cut of meat taken from the side and back of an animal between the ribs and the rump