haunch

American  

[hawnch, hahnch] / hɔntʃ, hɑntʃ /

noun

1. the hip.

2. the fleshy part of the body about the hip.

3. a hindquarter of an animal.

4. the leg and loin of an animal, used for food.

5. Architecture.

   1. either side of an arch, extending from the vertex or crown to the impost.

   2. the part of a beam projecting below a floor or roof slab.

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haunch British  

/ hɔːntʃ /

noun

1. the human hip or fleshy hindquarter of an animal, esp a horse or similar quadruped

2. the leg and loin of an animal, used for food

   a haunch of venison

3. Also called: hance.  architect the part of an arch between the impost and the apex

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Other Word Forms

• haunched adjective
• haunchless adjective

Etymology

Origin of haunch

1150–1200; Middle English haunche < Old French hanche < Germanic; compare Middle Dutch hanke haunch, hip, German Hanke haunch

Example Sentences

Togbe sat on his haunches by the fire, and I fetched the coal pot fan from the basket.

From Literature

Teeth squeals, hunching back on his haunches and grooming his paws.

From Literature

They arranged themselves in a circle, squatting on their haunches as they used to do.

From Literature

There was a moment of knowing consternation among Sinner's supporters when he missed a first match point, but he reset to take his second opportunity before dropping to his haunches at the net.

From BBC

As a rival striker bore down on his team’s goal, Guardiola — crouching on his haunches on the sideline — lost his balance and toppled over onto his back.

From New York Times