flank
pronunciation
How to pronounce flank in British English:
UK [flæŋk]
How to pronounce flank in American English:
US [flæŋk]
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- Noun:
- the side of military or naval formation
- a subfigure consisting of a side of something
- a cut from the fleshy part of an animal's side between the ribs and the leg
- the side between ribs and hipbone
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- Verb:
- be located at the sides of something or somebody
Word Origin
- flank
- flank: see link
- flank (n.)
- late Old English flanc "flank, fleshy part of the side," from Old French flanc "hip, side," from Frankish or another Germanic source, from Proto-Germanic *hlanca- (cognates: Old High German (h)lanca, Middle High German lanke "hip joint," German lenken "to bend, turn aside;" Old English hlanc "loose and empty, slender, flaccid;" Old Norse hlykkr "a bend, noose, loop"), from PIE root *kleng- "to bend, turn" (see link (n.)). Showing characteristic change of Germanic hl- to Romanic fl-. The military sense is first attested 1540s. Meaning "side" of anything is by 1620s. As an adjective, "pertaining to the flank or side," 1660s. Related: Flanked; flanking.
- flank (v.)
- 1590s (military), "to guard the flank," also, "to menace the flank, fire sideways upon," from flank (n.). Meaning "stand or be placed at the side of" is from 1650s. Related: Flanked; flanking.
Example
- 1. In order to enhance the incandescent lava flowing down the volcano 's snow-covered flank , I used a 15-second exposure .
- 2. In the past year mr romney 's views have metamorphosed worryingly as he has tried to protect his flank against a succession of conservative challengers .
- 3. The four saints who flank him appear pint-sized in comparison .
- 4. A plume of ash and gas blows east from the summit , and recent flows cover the snow on the volcano 's southeastern flank .
- 5. In theory , you can teach someone to appreciate intense sensation by associating the slap of the crop on the flank with a gentle kiss on the lips , or with an erotic caress .