haunch

[hawnch, hahnch]

noun

1. the hip.

2. the fleshy part of the body about the hip.

3. a hindquarter of an animal.

4. the leg and loin of an animal, used for food.

5. Architecture.

   1. either side of an arch, extending from the vertex or crown to the impost.

   2. the part of a beam projecting below a floor or roof slab.

haunch

/ hɔːntʃ /

noun

1. the human hip or fleshy hindquarter of an animal, esp a horse or similar quadruped

2. the leg and loin of an animal, used for food

   a haunch of venison

3. Also called: hance. architect the part of an arch between the impost and the apex

Other Word Forms

• haunched adjective
• haunchless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of haunch¹

1150–1200; Middle English haunche < Old French hanche < Germanic; compare Middle Dutch hanke haunch, hip, German Hanke haunch

Word History and Origins

Origin of haunch¹

C13: from Old French hanche; related to Spanish, Italian anca, of Germanic origin; compare Low German hanke

Example Sentences

South said that there “is no question that the Democratic donor base has basically been sitting on their haunches waiting to see what Harris is going to do.”

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There was a moment of knowing consternation among Sinner's supporters when he missed a first match point, but he reset to take his second opportunity before dropping to his haunches at the net.

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Soon after she arrived, a center staff member had delivered a shot full of phenobarbital and midazolam into her back haunch, to control the seizures.

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As a rival striker bore down on his team’s goal, Guardiola — crouching on his haunches on the sideline — lost his balance and toppled over onto his back.

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“She is safe,” the wolf responded as he sat back on his haunches, his eyes twinkling.

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