definitions

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.

RELATED CONTENT

Worldly Ways To Say “Thank You”This small but mighty phrase, which dates from the 15th century, goes a long way in acknowledging kindnesses big and small.
READ MORE
Worldly Ways To Say “Thank You”This small but mighty phrase, which dates from the 15th century, goes a long way in acknowledging kindnesses big and small.
READ MORE

Nearby words

hangzhou, hangzhou bay, hania, hanifah, haniwa, hank, hanker, hankering, hankou, hankow, hanks

Origin of hank

1175–1225; Middle English < Old Norse hǫnk hank, coil, skein, clasp; akin to hang

Related forms

un·hanked, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for hanking

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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012