| 1. | Anatomy. the part of the lower limb in humans between the knee and the ankle; leg. |
| 2. | a corresponding or analogous part in certain animals. |
| 3. | the lower limb in humans, including both the leg and the thigh. |
| 4. | a cut of meat from the top part of the front (foreshank) or back (hind shank) leg of an animal. |
| 5. | a narrow part of various devices, as a tool or bolt, connecting the end by which the object is held or moved with the end that acts upon another object. |
| 6. | a straight, usually narrow, shaftlike part of various objects connecting two more important or complex parts, as the stem of a pipe. |
| 7. | a knob, small projection, or end of a device for attaching to another object, as a small knob on the back of a solid button, or the end of a drill for gripping in a shaft. |
| 8. | the long, straight part of an anchor connecting the crown and the ring. |
| 9. | the straight part of a fishhook away from the bent part or prong. |
| 10. | Music. crook 1 (def. 8). |
| 11. | Informal.
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| 12. | the narrow part of the sole of a shoe, lying beneath the instep. |
| 13. | shankpiece. |
| 14. | Printing. the body of a type, between the shoulder and the foot. |
| 15. | Golf. a shot veering sharply to the right after being hit with the base of a club shaft. |
| 16. | the part of a phonograph stylus or needle on which the diamond or sapphire tip is mounted. |
| 17. | Jewelry. the part of a ring that surrounds the finger; hoop. |
| 18. | Golf. to hit (a golf ball) with the base of the shaft of a club just above the club head, causing the ball to go off sharply to the right. |
| 19. | Chiefly Scot. to travel on foot. Compare shanks' mare. |
| 20. | shank of the evening, the main or best part of the evening: Don't leave yet—it's just the shank of the evening. |

shank
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shank (shāngk)
n.
The part of the human leg between the knee and ankle.