ankle

[ ang-kuhl ]

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.

ankle

/ ˈæŋkəl /

noun

1. See talus
   the joint connecting the leg and the foot See talus 1
2. the part of the leg just above the foot

Word History and Origins

Origin of ankle¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of ankle¹

C14: from Old Norse; related to German, Dutch enkel, Latin angulus angle ¹

Example Sentences

However, unlike these virus-specific measures, the increased use of ankle monitors won’t necessarily end when the health emergency does.

From MIT Technology Review

I think a lot of people believe that this rising tide of disinformation and hate did not exist until it was lapping at their ankles.

From MIT Technology Review

Their socks have a compression rating of 15-25mmHg, with the most pressure starting at the ankle.

From Popular-Science

Luka Dončić went for a 43-point triple-double on a bum ankle and hit a step-back buzzer-beater to beat the Clippers, becoming the youngest player in NBA history to hit a game-winner in the postseason.

From FiveThirtyEight

While keeping your skis as parallel as possible, pole-plant, roll your ankles into a turn around your pole, and set up again in the opposite direction, engaging your edges to fully stop your momentum.

From Outside Online

It was the type of fall that should have resulted in bruises and maybe a sprained ankle.

From The Daily Beast

It paralleled a much happier time when he carried her around after she twisted her ankle, back in Season 4.

From The Daily Beast

My ankle—I never got to fix it, because I still had to walk on it in heels.

From The Daily Beast

And the whole time I had broken ankle, when we filmed the whole series.

From The Daily Beast

Models are always a few faltering footsteps away from breaking an ankle (or worse).

From The Daily Beast

Christian Science nor mind cure wasn't invented then, or I should of used 'em, and said my ankle wasn't sprained.

From Project Gutenberg

Eloise never had, and the pain in her ankle was so sharp that she gave little heed to what Mrs. Biggs was saying.

From Project Gutenberg

The vault was ankle deep in mire and so crowded were the prisoners that no one could sit without leaning upon another.

From Project Gutenberg

He scarcely dares glance at the trim ankle which she shows as she holds her dress out of the mud.

From Project Gutenberg

One man, solid and stolid, stood his ground on the edge of the chain and administered a hearty kick upon each ankle as it passed.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• bone