hock
1[ hok ]
/ hɒk /
noun
the joint in the hind leg of a horse, cow, etc., above the fetlock joint, corresponding anatomically to the ankle in humans.
a corresponding joint in a fowl.
verb (used with object)
to hamstring.
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Origin of hock
11375–1425; variant of dial. hough,Middle English ho(u)gh, apparently back formation from late Middle English hokschyn, etc., Old English hōhsinu hock (literally, heel) sinew; see heel1
Definition for hock (2 of 3)
hock2
[ hok ]
/ hɒk /
noun Chiefly British.
any white Rhine wine.
Origin of hock
21615–25; short for HockamoreHochheimer
Definition for hock (3 of 3)
hock3
[ hok ]
/ hɒk /
verb (used with object)
noun
the state of being deposited or held as security; pawn: She was forced to put her good jewelry in hock.
the condition of owing; debt: After the loan was paid, he was finally out of hock.
Origin of hock
31855–60, Americanism;<Dutch hok kennel, sty, pen, (informal) miserable place to live, prison
OTHER WORDS FROM hock
hocker, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for hock
British Dictionary definitions for hock (1 of 3)
hock1
/ (hɒk) /
noun
the joint at the tarsus of a horse or similar animal, pointing backwards and corresponding to the human ankle
the corresponding joint in domestic fowl
verb
another word for hamstring
Word Origin for hock
C16: short for hockshin, from Old English hōhsinu heel sinew
British Dictionary definitions for hock (2 of 3)
hock2
/ (hɒk) /
noun
any of several white wines from the German Rhine
(not in technical usage) any dry white wine
Word Origin for hock
C17: short for obsolete hockamore Hochheimer
British Dictionary definitions for hock (3 of 3)
hock3
/ (hɒk) informal, mainly US and Canadian /
verb
(tr) to pawn or pledge
noun
the state of being in pawn (esp in the phrase in hock)
in hock
- in prison
- in debt
- in pawn
Derived forms of hock
hocker, nounWord Origin for hock
C19: from Dutch hok prison, debt
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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