loin

Etymology

From Middle English loyne, from Old French loigne, from Vulgar Latin *lumbea, from Latin lumbus, of uncertain origin, possibly from Oscan-Umbrian *londwo- or Proto-Germanic *lundwuz, both ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *lendʰ- (“kidney, waist”). Cognate with Old English lendenu, Dutch lende, German Lende, Swedish länd (“haunch, loin”), Danish lænd, Proto-Slavic *lędvьja (Russian ля́двея (ljádveja)). See also lend.

noun

1. The part of the body (of humans and quadrupeds) at each side of the backbone, between the ribs and hips
2. Any of several cuts of meat taken from this part of an animal