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crotch - 10 dictionary results

crotch

  [kroch]
Use crotch in a Sentence
–noun
1. a forking or place of forking, as of the human body between the legs.
2. the part of a pair of trousers, panties, or the like, formed by the joining of the two legs.
3. a piece of material serving to form a juncture between the legs of trousers, panties, etc.
4. a forked piece, part, support, etc., as a staff with a forked top.
5. Billiards.
a. an area 4 1/2 in. (11.4 cm) square at each corner of a billiard table.
b. the situation in which both balls to be struck by the cue ball are within this area.
6. Nautical. crutch (def. 6).
7. the area of a tree at which a main branch joins the trunk.
8. the wood from such an area; crotchwood.
Origin:
1530–40; var. of crutch

Related forms:
crotched  [krotcht] , adjective

crotch⋅wood

  [kroch-wood]
–noun
wood from a tree crotch, characterized by a swirling, irregular figure and used for furniture and veneers.
Also called crotch.

Origin:
crotch + wood 1

crutch

  [kruhch]
–noun
1. a staff or support to assist a lame or infirm person in walking, now usually with a crosspiece at one end to fit under the armpit.
2. any of various devices resembling this in shape or use.
3. anything that serves as a temporary and often inappropriate support, supplement, or substitute; prop: He uses liquor as a psychological crutch.
4. a forked support or part.
5. the crotch of the human body.
6. Also, crotch. Nautical.
a. a forked support for a boom or spar when not in use.
b. a forked support for an oar on the sides or stern of a rowboat.
c. a horizontal knee reinforcing the stern frames of a wooden vessel.
7. a forked device on the left side of a sidesaddle, consisting of two hooks, one of which is open at the bottom and serves to clamp the left knee and the other of which is open at the top and serves to support the right knee.
–verb (used with object)
8. to support on crutches; prop; sustain.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME crucche, OE cryce (obl. crycce); c. Norw krykkja, Dan krykke, G Krücke, D kruk. See crook 1

Related forms:
crutchlike, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To crotch
crotch   (krŏch)   
n.  
  1. The angle or region of the angle formed by the junction of two parts or members, such as two branches or legs.
    1. The area on a pair of pants, underpants, or shorts where the two leg panels are sewn together.
    2. A piece of material sewn into a pair of pants, underpants, or shorts that joins the legs.
  3. The fork of a pole or other support.

[Possibly alteration of crutch and partly from Middle English croche, crook, crosier (from Old French croche, hook, shepherd's crook, feminine of croc, hook; see crochet).]
crotched (krŏcht) adj.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Crotch

Crotch\ (kr?ch; 224), n.; pl. Crotches (-?z). [Cf. Crotchet, Crutch.]

1. The angle formed by the parting of two legs or branches; a fork; the point where a trunk divides; as, the crotch of a tree.

2. (Naut.) A stanchion or post of wood or iron, with two arms for supporting a boom, spare yards, etc.; -- called also crane and crutch. --Totten.

Crotch

Crotch\, n. (Billiards) In the three-ball carom game, a small space at each corner of the table. See Crotched, below.

Crotch

Crotch\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Crotched; p. pr. & vb. n. Crotch"ing.]

1. To provide with a crotch; to give the form of a crotch to; as, to crotch the ends of ropes in splicing or tying knots.

2. (Logging) To notch (a log) on opposite sides to provide a grip for the dogs in hauling. [Western, U. S.]
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : crotch
Spanish: horcajadura, entrepierna,
German: die Abzweigung,
Japanese: 股
More Translations »

crotch 
1539, original meaning "pitchfork," from O.N.Fr. croche "shepherd's crook," var. of croc "hook" (see crochet); meaning "region where the body forks" is c.1592.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: crotch
Pronunciation: 'kräch
Function: noun
: an angle formed by the parting of two legs, branches, or members
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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crotch (krŏch)
n.
The angle or region of the angle formed by the junction of two parts or members, such as two branches, limbs, or legs.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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