hank
[ hangk ]
/ hæŋk /
noun
a skein, as of thread or yarn.
a definite length of thread or yarn: A hank of cotton yarn measures 840 yards.
a coil, knot, or loop: a hank of hair.
Nautical. a ring, link, or shackle for securing the luff of a staysail or jib to its stay or the luff or head of a gaff sail to the mast or gaff.
verb (used with object)
Nautical. to fasten (a sail) by means of hanks.
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Origin of hank
1175–1225; Middle English <Old Norse hǫnk hank, coil, skein, clasp; akin to hang
OTHER WORDS FROM hank
un·hanked, adjectiveDefinition for hank (2 of 2)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
British Dictionary definitions for hank
hank
/ (hæŋk) /
noun
a loop, coil, or skein, as of rope, wool, or yarn
nautical a ringlike fitting that can be opened to admit a stay for attaching the luff of a sail
a unit of measurement of cloth, yarn, etc, such as a length of 840 yards (767 m) of cotton or 560 yards (512 m) of worsted yarn
verb
(tr) nautical to attach (a sail) to a stay by hanks
Word Origin for hank
C13: of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse hanka to coil, Swedish hank string
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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