c.1225, as a noun, "complaint, lamentation," probably related to O.E. mænan "complain, moan," also "tell, intend," from P.Gmc. *main- (but O.E.D. discounts this connection). Meaning "long, low inarticulate murmur from some prolonged pain" is first recorded 1673. The verb is first attested c.1425 as "to complain," 1724 as "to make a low, mournful sound."
an utterance expressing pain or disapproval [syn: groan]
verb
1.
indicate pain, discomfort, or displeasure; "The students groaned when the professor got out the exam booklets"; "The ancient door soughed when opened" [syn: groan]
Be*moan"\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bemoaned; p. pr. & vb. n. Bemoaning.] [OE. bimenen, AS. bem?nan; pref. be- + m?nan to moan. See Moan.] To express deep grief for by moaning; to express sorrow for; to lament; to bewail; to pity or sympathize with. Implores their pity, and his pain bemoans. --Dryden. Syn: See Deplore.
Mean\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Meant; p. pr. & vb. n. Meaning.] [OE. menen, AS. m[=ae]nan to recite, tell, intend, wish; akin to OS. m[=e]nian to have in mind, mean, D. meenen, G. meinen, OHG. meinan, Icel. meina, Sw. mena, Dan. mene, and to E. mind. ?. See Mind, and cf. Moan.]1. To have in the mind, as a purpose, intention, etc.; to intend; to purpose; to design; as, what do you mean to do ? What mean ye by this service ? --Ex. xii. 26. Ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good. --Gen. 1. 20. I am not a Spaniard To say that it is yours and not to mean it. --Longfellow. 2. To signify; to indicate; to import; to denote. What mean these seven ewe lambs ? --Gen. xxi. 29. Go ye, and learn what that me?neth. --Matt. ix. 13.
Moan\ (m[=o]n), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Moaned (m[=o]nd); p. pr. & vb. n. Moaning.] [AS. m[=ae]nan to moan, also, to mean; but in the latter sense perh. a different word. Cf. Mean to intend.]1. To make a low prolonged sound of grief or pain, whether articulate or not; to groan softly and continuously. Unpitied and unheard, where misery moans. --Thomson. Let there bechance him pitiful mischances, To make him moan. --Shak. 2. To emit a sound like moan; -- said of things inanimate; as, the wind moans.