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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

flank       (flāngk)  Pronunciation Key  n.   The section of flesh on the body of a person or an animal between the last rib and the hip; the side. A cut of meat from the flank of an animal. A lateral part or side: the flank of a mountain. The right or left side of a military formation: an attack on both flanks. The right or left side of a bastion. tr.v.   flanked, flank·ing, flanks To protect or guard the flank of. To menace or attack the flank of. To be placed or situated at the flank or side of: Two stone lions flanked the entrance. To put (something) on each side of: flanked the driveway with tall shrubs. [Middle English, from Old English flanc, from Old French flanc, of Germanic origin.]

Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
flank  (n.)

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

flank
noun
1.	the side of military or naval formation; "they attacked the enemy's right flank"
2.	a subfigure consisting of a side of something
3.	a cut from the fleshy part of an animal's side between the ribs and the leg
4.	the side between ribs and hipbone
verb
1.	be located at the sides of something or somebody

American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

flank (flāngk)
n.

1. The side of the body between the pelvis or hip and the last rib; the side.
2. The section of flesh in that area.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Flank

Flank\ (fl[a^][ng]k), n. [F. flanc, prob. fr. L. flaccus flabby, with n inserted. Cf. Flaccid, Flanch, Flange.]

1. The fleshy or muscular part of the side of an animal, between the ribs and the hip. See Illust. of Beef.

2. (Mil.) (a) The side of an army, or of any division of an army, as of a brigade, regiment, or battalion; the extreme right or left; as, to attack an enemy in flank is to attack him on the side.

When to right and left the front

Divided, and to either flank retired. --Milton. (b) (Fort.) That part of a bastion which reaches from the curtain to the face, and defends the curtain, the flank and face of the opposite bastion; any part of a work defending another by a fire along the outside of its parapet. See Illust. of Bastion.

3. (Arch.) The side of any building. --Brands.

4. That part of the acting surface of a gear wheel tooth that lies within the pitch line.

Flank attack (Mil.), an attack upon the side of an army or body of troops, distinguished from one upon its front or rear.

Flank company (Mil.), a certain number of troops drawn up on the right or left of a battalion; usually grenadiers, light infantry, or riflemen.

Flank defense (Fort.), protection of a work against undue exposure to an enemy's direct fire, by means of the fire from other works, sweeping the ground in its front.

Flank en potence (Mil.), any part of the right or left wing formed at a projecting angle with the line.

Flank files, the first men on the right, and the last on the left, of a company, battalion, etc.

Flank march, a march made parallel or obliquely to an enemy's position, in order to turn it or to attack him on the flank.

Flank movement, a change of march by an army, or portion of one, in order to turn one or both wings of the enemy, or to take up a new position.

Flanks of a frontier, salient points in a national boundary, strengthened to protect the frontier against hostile incursion.

Flank patrol, detachments acting independently of the column of an army, but patrolling along its flanks, to secure it against surprise and to observe the movements of the enemy.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Flank

Flank\ (fl[a^][ng]k), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Flanked (fl[a^][ng]kt); p. pr. & vb. n. Flanking.] [Cf. F. flanquer. See Flank, n., and cf. Flanker, v. t.]

1. To stand at the flank or side of; to border upon.

Stately colonnades are flanked with trees. --Pitt.

2. To overlook or command the flank of; to secure or guard the flank of; to pass around or turn the flank of; to attack, or threaten to attack; the flank of.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Flank

Flank\, v. i. 1. To border; to touch. --Bp. Butler.

2. To be posted on the side.