[shank] n [ME shanke, fr. OE scanca; akin to ON skakkr crooked, Gk skazein to limp] (bef. 12c) 1 a: the part of the leg between the knee and the ankle in humans or the corresponding part in various other vertebrates b: leg c: a cut of beef, veal, mutton, or lamb from the upper or the lower part of the leg: shin--see beef illustration
2: a straight narrow usu. essential part of an object: as a: the straight part of a nail or pin b: a straight part of a plant: stem, stalk c: the part of an anchor between the ring and the crown--see anchor illustration d: the part of a fishhook between the eye and the bend e: the part of a key between the handle and the bit f: the stem of a tobacco pipe or the part between the stem and the bowl g: tang 1 h (1): the narrow part of the sole of a shoe beneath the instep (2): shankpiece
3: a part of an object by which it can be attached: as a (1): a projection on the back of a solid button (2): a short stem of thread that holds a sewn button away from the cloth b: the end (as of a drill bit) that is gripped in a chuck
4. a: the latter part of a period of time b: the early or main part of a period of time
5. slang: an often homemade knife -- shanked adj
[2]shank vt (1927): to hit (a golf ball or shot) with the extreme heel of the club so that the ball goes off in an unintended direction; also: to kick (a football) in an unintended direction