groan (gron)

[Early mod. E. also grone (Sc. grane, grain ); We that are in this tabernacle do groan , being burdened. 2 Cor. v. 4. The land groans and justice goes to wrack the while. Milton, Civil Power. May the gods grant I may one day be [slain], And not from sickne die right wretchedly, Groaning with pain. William Morris, Earthly Paradise, I. 346. This profusion of food showed itself at dinner, where, if the table did not groan , the guests surely did: for each person is expected to eat of every dish. Darwin, Voyage of Beagle, I. 29. 2. To long or strive with deep earnestne , and as if with groans. Nothing but holy, pure, and clear, Or that which groaneth to be so. G. Herbert. I'm sure the gallows groans for you. Swift , Polite Conversation, i. II. trans. To expre disapproval of or to silence by means of groans: usually with down : as, the speaker was groaned down . Yesterday they met, as agreed upon, and, after groaning the Ward Committee, went to the mayor's office. New York Tribune, Dec. 19, 1861.