flank

¹flank

noun \ˈflaŋk\

Definition of FLANK

1

a : the fleshy part of the side between the ribs and the hip; broadly : the side of a quadruped b : a cut of meat from this part of an animal — see beef illustration

2

a : side b : the right or left of a formation

3

: the area along either side of a heraldic shield

Examples of FLANK

1. She gently patted the horse's flank.
2. They attacked the enemy on both flanks.
3. the eastern flank of a volcano

Origin of FLANK

Middle English, from Old French flanc, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German hlanca loin, flank — more at lank

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to FLANK

Synonyms: side, hand

Related Words: outside; face, top; bottom, foot, underbelly, underbody, underpart, underside, undersurface; lee, leeward, windward; left, right

Near Antonyms: center, inside, interior, middle, midway

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Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

Rhymes with FLANK

bank, blank, clank, crank, dank, franc, frank, hank, lank, plank, prank, rank, shank, spank, stank, swank, tank, thank, yank, Yank