flank

Use flank in a sentence

These cat bookends flank these books.

noun

The definition of flank is the side section of the human or animal body between the lowest rib and the hip.
An example of the flank is the side of a person, basically a few inches above the waistline.

verb

To flank is defined as to be on either side of something.
When there is a bookcase on both sides of a fireplace, this is an example of a situation where the bookcases flank the fireplace.

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MLA Style

"flank." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 19 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Flank>.

APA Style

flank. (n.d.). Retrieved January 19th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Flank

flank

the fleshy side of a person or animal between the ribs and the hip
a cut of beef from this part
loosely the outer side of the upper part of the human thigh
the side of anything
Mil. the right or left side of a formation or force, or of the projection of a bastion

Origin of flank

Middle English flanke from Old French flanc from Frankish an unverified form hlanka, akin to Old High German hlanka, a hip, flank: for Indo-European base see lank

of or having to do with the flank

to be at the side of
to place at the side, or on either side, of
Mil.
1. to protect the side of (a friendly unit)
2. to attack the side of (an enemy unit)
3. to pass around the side of (an enemy unit)

to be located at the side: with on or upon

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MLA Style

"flank." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 19 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Flank>.

APA Style

flank. (n.d.). Retrieved January 19th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Flank

flank

noun

The section of flesh on the body of a person or an animal between the last rib and the hip; the side.
A cut of meat from the flank of an animal.
A lateral part or side: the flank of a mountain.
a. The right or left side of a military formation: an attack on both flanks.
b. The right or left side of a bastion.

transitive verb

flanked, flank·ing, flanks

To protect or guard the flank of.
To menace or attack the flank of.
To be placed or situated at the flank or side of: Two stone lions flanked the entrance.
To put (something) on each side of: flanked the driveway with tall shrubs.

Origin of flank

Middle English from Old English flanc from Old French flanc of Germanic origin

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"flank." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 19 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/Flank>.

APA Style

flank. (n.d.). Retrieved January 19th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/Flank

Adjective

(not comparable)

(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!).

Noun

(plural flanks)

(anatomy) The flesh between the last rib and the hip; the side.
(cooking) A cut of meat from the flank of an animal.
(military) The extreme left or right edge of a military formation, army etc.
The side of something, in general senses.
The outermost strip of a road.
(soccer) The wing, one side of the pitch.
That part of the acting surface of a gear wheel tooth that lies within the pitch line.

Verb

(third-person singular simple present flanks, present participle flanking, simple past and past participle flanked)

To attack the flank(s) of something.
To defend the flank(s) of something.
To place to the side(s) of something.
To be placed to the side(s) of something (usually in terms of two objects, one on each side.)

Origin

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.