I. flank 1 /flæŋk/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1000-1100 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: flanc ]
1 . the side of an animal’s or person’s body, between the ↑ rib s and the ↑ hip
2 . the side of an army in a battle, or a sports team when playing:
We were attacked on our left flank.
3 . the side of a hill, mountain, or very large building
II. flank 2 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
to be on both sides of someone or something:
Lewis entered flanked by two bodyguards.
mountains flanking the road