Flank Definition
flăngk
flanked, flanking, flanks
noun
flanks
The fleshy side of a person or animal between the ribs and the hip.
Webster's New World
A cut of beef from this part.
Webster's New World
The outer side of the upper part of the human thigh.
Webster's New World
The right or left side of a formation or force, or of the projection of a bastion.
Webster's New World
The side of anything.
Webster's New World
verb
flanked, flanking, flanks
To be located at the side.
Webster's New World
To be at the side of.
Webster's New World
To protect the side of (a friendly unit)
Webster's New World
To attack the side of (an enemy unit)
Webster's New World
To place at the side, or on either side, of.
Webster's New World
adjective
Of or having to do with the flank.
Webster's New World
(nautical) Maximum (of speed). Historically faster than full speed (the most a vessel can sustain without excessive engine wear or risk of damage), now frequently used interchangeably. Typically used in an emergency or during an attack (All ahead flank!).
Wiktionary
Origin of Flank
-
From Late Middle English flanc, from Old French flanc, of Germanic origin, probably Frankish *hlanca, from Proto-Germanic *hlankaz (“flexible", "to bend”), from Proto-Indo-European *kleng- (“to bend”). Akin to Old High German hlanca (“loin”), Middle High German lanke (“hip joint”) (German lenken (“to bend, turn, lead”)), Old English hlanc (“loose, slender, flaccid, lank”). More at lank.
From Wiktionary
Middle English from Old English flanc from Old French flanc of Germanic origin
From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
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