flank

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Adjective 1.4 Noun 1.4.1 Synonyms 1.4.2 Translations 1.5 Verb 1.5.1 Translations

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Late Old English flanc, from Old French flanc, of Germanic origin, probably Frankish *hlanca from Proto-Germanic *khlankaz (“‘flexible", "to bend’”) from Proto-Indo-European *qleng- (“‘to bend’”). Akin to Old High German hlanca "loin", Middle High German lanke "hip joint" (German lenken "to bend, turn, lead"), Old English hlanc "loose, slender, flaccid, lank". More at lank

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /flæŋk/ SAMPA: /fl{Nk/
•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

• Rhymes: -æŋk

[edit] Adjective

flank (not comparable)

1. (nautical) Maximum (of speed). Historically faster than full speed (the most a vessel can sustain without excessive engine wear or risk of damage), now frequently used interchangeably. Typically used in an emergency or during an attack (All ahead flank!).

[edit] Noun

flank (plural flanks)

1. (anatomy) The flesh between the last rib and the hip; the side.
2. (cooking) A cut of meat from the flank of an animal.
3. (military) The extreme left or right edge of a military formation, army etc.
4. The side of something, in general senses.
5. The outermost strip of a road.

[edit] Synonyms

• (all senses): side
• (side of formation): wing

[edit] Translations

[edit] Verb

to flank (third-person singular simple present flanks, present participle flanking, simple past and past participle flanked)

1. (transitive) To attack the flank(s) of something.
2. (transitive) To defend the flank(s) of something.
3. (transitive) To place to the side(s) of something.
4. To be placed to the side(s) of something (usually in terms of two objects, one on each side.)

[edit] Translations