I. ˈflaŋk, -aiŋk noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French flanc, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German hlanca loin, flank — more at lank
1.
a. : the fleshy part of the side between the ribs and the hip ; broadly : the side of a quadruped
the horse stood with quivering flanks
— see cow illustration
b. : a cut of meat from this part of an animal — see beef illustration
c. : hide or leather from the flank or belly of an animal
2.
a. : side
sheltering on the flank of the hill
b. : the right or left of a formation (as a line of battle, a line of scrimmage, a marching column)
attacked the enemy on both flanks
c. : the part of a bastion that reaches from the curtain to the face and defends the curtain and the flank and face of the opposite bastion
d. : either side of a fortification — see bastion illustration
3.
a. : the area along either side of an escutcheon — see point illustration
b. : the central part of this area
4.
a. : the profile of the root of a gear tooth or the portion of a gear tooth between the root and the pitch circle
b. : the contacting face of a screw thread
c. : either side of a cutting tool (as a chisel) intersecting the cutting edge and adjacent to the face
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1. : to shelter or protect a side of
used cavalry to stabilize and flank the infantry during an attack
a wall flanked with tall towers
2.
a. : to attack or threaten the flank of (as a body of troops)
b. : to turn the flank of
the reserve forces were unexpectedly flanked and immobilized by a detachment of tanks
3.
a. : to stand or be situated at the side of : border especially on each side
a long avenue flanked with lindens
b. : to place something on each side of
by flanking the mirror with tall candelabra
4. archaic : escape , evade
successfully flanked his pursuers
the recruits flanked drill whenever possible
intransitive verb
1. : to be placed or move to, toward, or along a side
at the wave of his handler's hand the dog flanked off and turned the straggling sheep
2. : to present the flank — used with on
the fort flanked on a swamp
III. transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: probably imitative
: flick , flip