group
UK: ɡruːp | US: ɡrup
n. a number of people or things that are located, gathered, or classed together
n. a set of elements occupying a column in the periodic table and having broadly similar properties
vt. to place or arrange in a group
The word "group" entered English in the late 17th century from French groupe, meaning a "cluster" or "knot." The French term derived from Italian gruppo, which originally referred to a "knot of people" or "cluster of objects." This Italian word likely traces back to Germanic roots, possibly related to Proto-Germanic kruppaz ("lump, mass"). Over time, "group" expanded from its physical sense of clustering to abstract groupings (e.g., social, scientific). The spelling preserved the French -ou- but simplified the ending.
The students formed a study group to prepare for the exam.
Hydrogen and helium belong to the same chemical group.
She grouped the books by genre on the shelf.
A group of protesters gathered outside the building.
The photographer asked the family to group closer together.