English Dictionary
Definition of “flank”
flank (flæŋk
)
Definitions
noun
- the side of a man or animal between the ribs and the hip
- (loosely) the outer part of the human thigh
- a cut of beef from the flank
- the side of anything, such as a mountain or building
- the side of a naval or military formation
verb
- when intr, often foll by on or upon to be located at the side of (an object, building, etc)
- military to position or guard on or beside the flank of (a formation, etc)
- military to move past or go round (a flank)
Word Origin
C12: from Old French flanc, of Germanic origin
Usage examples
The youth looked up as Kenworthy entered: he was planing a flank of his craft.
Hilton, John Buxton, Passion in the Peak (1985)Green caterpillars contain carotenoid pigments that great tits use to produce the yellow colour of the feathers that flank their breasts.
New Scientist (1998)With fighting raging in the city, US tanks reinforced positions along the southern flank of the mosque.
New Zealand Herald (2004)The manager will also hope to bolster his midfield, with an injection of pace on the left flank another priority.
Glasgow Herald (2002)The big horses and their towering riders crashed home all along the column's broken flank.
Cornwell, Bernard, Sharpe's Waterloo (1991)
