flank

[ flangk ]

/ flæŋk /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR flank ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

the side of an animal or a person between the ribs and hip.

the thin piece of flesh constituting this part.

a slice of meat from the flank of an animal.

the side of anything, as of a building.

Military, Navy. the extreme right or left side of an army or fleet, or a subdivision of an army or fleet.

Fortification.

the right or left side of a work or fortification.
the part of a bastion that extends from the curtain to the face and protects the curtain and the opposite face.

Machinery. (on a screw thread or the like) either of the two vertical inclined surfaces between the crest and the root.

verb (used with object)

to stand or be placed or posted at the flank or side of.

to defend or guard at the flank.

Military. to menace or attack the flank of.

to pass around or turn the flank of.

verb (used without object)

to occupy a position at the flank or side.

to present the flank or side.

Nearby words

Origin of flank

before 1100; Middle English; late Old English flanc < Old French < Frankish; compare Old High German hlanca loin

SYNONYMS FOR flank

8. line, edge, skirt, border.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR flank ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsun·flank, verb (used with object)well-flanked, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for flanked

He speaks in a whisper, flanked by the two locals who set up the meeting.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Alberto Barbera, director of the Venice Film Festival, took the stage, flanked by a woman holding a trophy and a medal.
James Franco Shot His New Movie at the Venice Film Festival and I Was in It|Marlow Stern|September 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Her sons walked behind her, flanked by their father, the Prince; their grandfather, the Duke; and their uncle, the Earl.
The Day the Fairytale Died|Marilyn Johnson|July 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“Technically the campus is a crime scene,” said Garcia, who was flanked by dozens of officers and college officials.
Another Campus Attack, This Time With a Knife|Christine Pelisek|April 9, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Outside, on the roof, the clock is flanked by more Beaux Arts touches: statues of Hercules, Mercury, and Minerva.
Grand Central Terminal: 100 Years, 100 Facts|Sarah Begley|February 1, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Each diamond is further ornamented with the Tudor rose, ensigned with the royal crown, and flanked by the initials E. R.
Royal English Bookbindings|Cyril Davenport
They were flanked by nine other chairs on the right and nine on the left for the eighteen other prisoners.
The Tree of Heaven|May Sinclair
Flanked by guards, they went down a corridor which stretched on interminably.
The Status Civilization|Robert Sheckley
Sussex backs gave place in time to the grate in which a metal back was frequently incorporated, flanked by the dogs in front.
Chats on Household Curios|Fred W. Burgess
The Confederacy was finally beaten because it was flanked in the west and cut in two at Vicksburg.
The Ifs of History|Joseph Edgar Chamberlin

British Dictionary definitions for flanked

flank

/ (flæŋk) /

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 for flank

C12: from Old French flanc, of Germanic origin

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for flanked

flank

late Old English flanc "fleshy part of the side," from Old French flanc, probably from Frankish *hlanca (cf. Old High German (h)lanca, Middle High German lanke "hip joint," German lenken "to bend, turn, lead"), from PIE root *kleng- "to bend, turn" (see link (n.)). The military sense is first attested 1540s, as is the verb. Related: Flanked; flanking.

Medicine definitions for flanked

flank

[ flăngk ]

n.

The side of the body between the pelvis or hip and the last rib; the side.

The section of flesh in that area.

flank

noun

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Origin of flank

Examples from the Web for flanked

flank

noun

verb

Word Origin for flank

flank

flank

n.