I. flank·er -kə(r) noun
( -s )
: one that flanks: as
a. : something that adjoins on the side (as a fort commanding the flank of an assailing force) ; especially : a lateral wing of a building
the great kitchen took up most of the long west flanker
b. : men so posted or marched as to protect the flank of a column on the march
c. chiefly Britain : a driver posted on the flank of the line of a grouse drive to turn birds that tend to break away
d. West : a cowhand who throws a roped calf on its side for branding
e. : an animal (as a sheep) that stays off to one side of a grazing herd
f. : a football player who takes a place on the line to the right of the right end or to the left of the left end
II. flank·er transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
obsolete : to defend or support by flankers
III. flan·ker noun
( -s )
Etymology: obsolete flanker, v., to sparkle
: a large spark thrown off by a wood fire especially up a chimney
IV. flanker noun
or flanker back
: a football player stationed wide of the formation ; especially : an offensive halfback who lines up on the flank slightly behind the line of scrimmage and serves chiefly as a pass receiver