Hanks

[hangks]

noun

Tom,born 1956, U.S. film actor.

hank

[hangk]

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.

Origin of hank

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

Related formsun·hanked, adjective

Hank

[hangk]

noun

a male given name, form of Henry.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for hanks

curve, flourish, convolution, zigzag, arc, bend, braid, twine, spiral, roll, swivel, jerk, undulation, ply, warp, coil, plug, pull, turn, wrench

Examples from the Web for hanks

Contemporary Examples of hanks

Hanks appears as a talking head in several episodes of the series.
CNN ’60s Series Looks at How the Kennedy-Nixon Debate Changed TV
Scott Porch
May 29, 2014
Not meeting Hanks prior, "helped the dynamics of the film and set the standard," says Abdi.
Barkhad Abdi: From Limo Driver to Oscar Contender
Tim Teeman
February 23, 2014
But alas, Hanks, a two-time Best Actor Oscar winner and five-time Oscar nominee, was completely shut out by the Academy.
13 Oscar Nomination Shockers: Oprah, Tom Hanks, ‘Inside Llewyn Davis,’ and More
Marlow Stern
January 16, 2014
At the top of the corporation, of course, is Hanks, who takes on one of the biggest roles in Hollywood.
‘Saving Mr. Banks’ Reveals the Battle Over Disney’s ‘Mary Poppins’
Nico Hines
October 21, 2013
Still, Hanks aside, none of those actors really carry enough star power for Broadway journeymen to cry foul this year.
The Outsider’s Guide to the 2013 Tony Nominations
Kevin Fallon
April 30, 2013

Historical Examples of hanks

He did the heavy work that really belonged to Hanks, so that Carl might escape it.
Under Fire
Frank A. Munsey
Fred was in the drying room at the time, and Hanks was up after a roll of cloth.
Under Fire
Frank A. Munsey
"That's your work," said Hanks, cooling down at Fred's determined tone and manner.
Under Fire
Frank A. Munsey
Hanks had been taking a steady look at the lugger through his spy-glass.
Salt Water
W. H. G. Kingston
“There seems to be two brace of them,” said Hanks, laughing.
Salt Water
W. H. G. Kingston

British Dictionary definitions for hanks

Hanks

noun

Tom. born 1956, US film actor: his films include Splash (1984), Philadelphia (1993), Forrest Gump (1994), Saving Private Ryan (1998), and The Terminal (2004)

hank

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

Word Origin and History for hanks

hank

late 13c., probably from a Scandinavian source, e.g. Old Norse honk, hank "clasp, hank," related to hang (v.).