ankle

American  

[ang-kuhl] / ˈæŋ kəl /

noun

1. (in humans) the joint between the foot and the leg, in which movement occurs in two planes.

2. the corresponding joint in a quadruped or bird; hock.

3. the slender part of the leg above the foot.

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ankle British  

/ ˈæŋkəl /

noun

1. the joint connecting the leg and the foot See talus 1

2. the part of the leg just above the foot

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Etymology

Origin of ankle

First recorded before 1000; partly from Middle English ankel, enkel, ankyl, cognate with Middle Low German, Dutch enkel, Old Frisian ankel, Old High German anchal, enchil, Old Norse ǫkkul (from unrecorded ankula); partly from Middle English anclowe, oncleou, Old English anclēow, onclēow, cognate with Middle Low German anclef, Dutch anklāw, Old High German anchlāo; akin to Latin angulus “corner, angle,” Greek ankúlos “bent, crooked,” and ankṓn “bend of the arm, elbow”

Example Sentences

Even now that they have reached the Super Bowl, many pundits point to a forgiving schedule -- and the luck of facing Denver in the AFC Championship game after Broncos quarterback Bo Nix broke his ankle.

From Barron's

My ankles ache with the chill, but when I burrow my feet into the soft, silty mud, my toes are cozy and warm.

From Literature

Each forehand slice from the Spaniard was another test of creaky hips, ankles, and knees.

From The Wall Street Journal

Harmon frequently treks through the desert, wearing ankle braces and an orange safety vest, chatting with Border Patrol agents who appear to have taken to her.

From Los Angeles Times

Cats on the street came to wind figure eights around his ankles; dogs leaped up at him in the park.

From Literature

Related Words

• bone