flank
Use Flank in a sentence
noun
1.
the side of an animal or a person between the ribs and hip.
2.
the thin piece of flesh constituting this part.
3.
a slice of meat from the flank of an animal.
4.
the side of anything, as of a building.
5.
Military, Navy. the extreme right or left side of an army or fleet, or a subdivision of an army or fleet.
6.
Fortification.
a.
the right or left side of a work or fortification.
b.
the part of a bastion that extends from the curtain to the face and protects the curtain and the opposite face. See diag. under bastion.
7.
Machinery. (on a screw thread or the like) either of the two vertical inclined surfaces between the crest and the root.
verb (used with object)
8.
to stand or be placed or posted at the flank or side of.
9.
to defend or guard at the flank.
10.
Military. to menace or attack the flank of.
11.
to pass around or turn the flank of.
00:10
Flank
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is fletcherise. Does it mean:
| to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. |
| chat, to converse |
verb (used without object)
12.
to occupy a position at the flank or side.
13.
to present the flank or side.
Origin:
before 1100; Middle English; late Old English flanc < Old French < Frankish; compare Old High German hlanca loin
before 1100; Middle English; late Old English flanc < Old French < Frankish; compare Old High German hlanca loin
Related forms
un·flank, verb (used with object)
well-flanked, adjective
Synonyms
8. line, edge, skirt, border.
8. line, edge, skirt, border.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To flank
Collins
World English Dictionary
flank (flæŋk) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —n | |
| 1. | the side of a man or animal between the ribs and the hip |
| 2. | (loosely) the outer part of the human thigh |
| 3. | a cut of beef from the flank |
| 4. | the side of anything, such as a mountain or building |
| 5. | the side of a naval or military formation |
| —vb (when intr, | |
| 6. | to be located at the side of (an object, building, etc) |
| 7. | military to position or guard on or beside the flank of (a formation, etc) |
| 8. | military to move past or go round (a flank) |
| [C12: from Old French flanc, of Germanic origin] | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
flank
late O.E. flanc "fleshy part of the side," from O.Fr. flanc, probably from Frank. *hlanca (cf. O.H.G. (h)lanca, M.H.G. lanke "hip joint," Ger. lenken "to bend, turn, lead"), from PIE base *qleng- "to bend." The military sense is first attested 1540s, as is the verb. Related: Flanked; flanking.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary
flank (flāngk)
n.
The side of the body between the pelvis or hip and the last rib; the side.
The section of flesh in that area.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
Example sentences
He will no longer have to keep a wary eye on his right flank, particularly over judicial appointments.
Open surgery involves incisions through the patient's flank and into the kidney.
He dashed vigorously and creatively from one flank to another.
These two silk, flank markers date to the regiment's original three year muster period.
Nearby Words
Copyright © 2013 Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
