crotch

== English == === Etymology === Of disputed origin; two possibilities seem likely: From Middle English croche, variant of crucche (“crutch”); compare crook. From Middle English croche, variant of crouche (“cross, crozier”). === Pronunciation === (General American) IPA(key): /kɹɑt͡ʃ/ (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /kɹɒt͡ʃ/ Rhymes: -ɒtʃ === Noun === crotch (plural crotches) The ventral area (very bottom) of the human body between where the legs fork from the torso, in the area of the genitals and anus. (slang, euphemistic) Either the male or female genitalia. The area where something forks or branches: where a ramification takes place. Hyponym: axil (billiards) In the three-ball carom game, a small space at each corner of the table. (typography) The open counter (negative space) formed by two downward strokes that meet at an internal acute angle, potentially above a vertex, as in the letters "V" and "Y". ==== Antonyms ==== ==== Hyponyms ==== ==== Meronyms ==== ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === crotch (third-person singular simple present crotches, present participle crotching, simple past and past participle crotched) (transitive) To provide with a crotch; to give the form of a crotch to. (transitive, Western US, timber industry, historical) To notch (a log) on opposite sides to provide a grip for the dogs that will haul it. (transitive) To shoplift or smuggle by hiding between one's thighs or in one's underwear. (transitive) To hit in the crotch (genital region). (transitive, sailing) To secure (the boom) to the boom crotch (a forked pole). (transitive, tree work) To hang (a rope) over a crotch in a tree so that the ends hang down from opposite sides. (transitive) To remove overgrown wool from around the eyes of. ==== See also ==== crotch down