flanker

American  

[flang-ker] / ˈflæŋ kər /

noun

1. a person or thing that flanks.

2. Military. one of a body of soldiers placed on the flank of an army to guard a line of march.

3. Fortification. a fortification projecting so as to defend another work or to command the flank of an assailing body.

4. Football.

   1. Also called flankerback.  an offensive back who lines up outside of an end.

   2. split end.

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flanker British  

/ ˈflæŋkə /

noun

1. one of a detachment of soldiers detailed to guard the flanks, esp of a formation

2. a projecting fortification, used esp to protect or threaten a flank

3. rugby a wing forward

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Etymology

Origin of flanker

First recorded in 1540–50; flank + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Italy were superior in the aerial battle in the opening quarter, but Wales were lifted by a rousing penalty, created by the chasing work of Rees-Zammit, Mee and flanker Alex Mann.

From BBC

An injury to flanker Tom Curry forced England to make further changes to a line-up that had already been radically rejigged.

From BBC

He has switched between three fly-halves in little more than a year, brought both wingers and flankers into the centres, and has shuttled between various back-three options, building an arsenal of different options.

From BBC

"Scotland found a way to win ugly," added their former flanker John Barclay.

From BBC

"There's probably a million things you can point to after a game -- and especially after a loss," said England flanker Underhill.

From Barron's