I. ˈhaŋk, ˈhaiŋk transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English hanken, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse hanka to coil, fasten, from hank-, hönk, n.
1. : to fasten with a hank
2. : to fold, loop, or coil into a hank
II. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, of Scandinavian origin; akin to Old Norse hönk hank, coil, skein, clasp, hanki clasp; from or akin to Middle Low German hank handle, from the stem of Old High German hengen, henken to hang, causative from the root of hāhan to hang — more at hang
1. : a coil, loop, or ring especially of rope: as
a. dialect England : a loop used to fasten or suspend something (as a strap on a door)
b. : a coiled or looped bundle (as of yarn, rope, wire) usually containing a definite yardage
a hank of cotton yarn contains 840 yards
— see count 8a; compare skein 1
c. : a ring (as of wood, iron, or rope) attached to the edge of a jib or staysail and running on a stay
2. now chiefly dialect : advantage , power , hold
shouldn't let them get such a hank over you