shank

(shăngk)

1. a. The part of the human leg between the knee and ankle.
   b. A corresponding part in other vertebrates.
2. a. The whole leg of a human.
   b. A leg or leglike part.
3. A cut of meat from the leg of a steer, calf, sheep, or lamb.
4. The long narrow part of a nail or pin.
5. A stem, stalk, or similar part.
6. Nautical The stem of an anchor.
7. The long shaft of a fishhook.
8. The part of a tobacco pipe between the bowl and stem.
9. The shaft of a key.
10. The narrow section of the handle of a spoon.
11. Printing The section of a body of type between the shoulder and the foot.
12. a. The narrow part of the sole of a shoe under the instep.
    b. A piece of material, such as metal, that is used to reinforce or shape this part of a shoe.
13. A projection, such as a ring, on the back of a button by which it is sewn to cloth.
14. a. See tang¹.
    b. The part of a tool, such as a drill, that connects the functioning head to the handle.
15. a. The latter or remaining part, especially of a period of time.
    b. The early or primary part of a period of time: the shank of the evening.

Related Forms:

• shanked adjective