I. ˈspaŋk, -paiŋk verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: imitative
transitive verb
1. : to strike with or as if with the open hand ; especially : to slap smartly on the buttocks
in the olden days children were spanked plenty — Benjamin Spock
2. : to thrust or propel with a spank
“I like balloons,” she said, spanking it into the air with … her hand — Joseph Mitchell
3. : to reprimand severely
we watch new American novelists being spanked in the public prints — J.H.Burns
intransitive verb
: to strike or fall with a spank
the ball … would spank into the round mitt — Richard Wilbur
II. noun
( -s )
1.
a. : a blow usually with the palm of the hand : slap
b. : a blow resembling a spank
raised his oar and brought it down flat on the water with a tremendous spank — Saturday Review
2. : the sound produced by a spank
III. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: back-formation from spanking (I)
intransitive verb
1. : to move quickly, dashingly, or spiritedly ; especially : to drive or ride in a smart or stylish manner
used to spank around … in a smart rig that had yellow wheels trimmed in red — James Thurber
2. : to sail briskly
sailing craft would come down spanking before the breeze — Richard Jefferies
transitive verb
: to drive (as a horse, vehicle) smartly