Groan \Groan\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Groaned}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Groaning}.] [OE. gronen, granen, granien, AS. gr?nian, fr. the root of grennian to grin. [root]35. See {2d Grin}, and cf. {Grunt}.] 1. To give forth a low, moaning sound in breathing; to utter a groan, as in pain, in sorrow, or in derision; to moan.
For we . . . do groan, being burdened. --2 Cor. v. 4.
He heard the groaning of the oak. --Sir W. Scott.
2. To strive after earnestly, as with groans.
Nothing but holy, pure, and clear, Or that which groaneth to be so. --Herbert.
Groan \Groan\, v. t. To affect by groans.
Groan \Groan\, n. A low, moaning sound; usually, a deep, mournful sound uttered in pain or great distress; sometimes, an expression of strong disapprobation; as, the remark was received with groans.
Such groans of roaring wind and rain. --Shak.
The wretched animal heaved forth such groans. --Shak.
When Ralph Stayer's workers botched sales orders, mislabeled products and even smashed a forklift into a wall, he didn't moan, he didn't groan, he just changed bosses.
However charming or salient the digressions may be individually, after a while each new one elicits a little silent groan, as we realize that the outcome of the story is being postponed yet again.
Three workers heard the 40-foot-wide scoreboard creak and groan shortly before it collapsed, police Maj. J.J. Kelly said.
Reporters, questioning the producers and model-turned-actress Maggie Han, groan at the waffling.
Even non-technical ones groan at the difficulties of fairly simple internal reorganisation of desks and equipment. A computer on every desk was considered a Star Wars dream until the mid-80s. But the 'Big Bang' financial revolution changed all that.
I would have been less than keen to have a film crew record my every groan as we charged into casualty, yet that is precisely what Paramedics sets out to do (8.30 BBC1).