/shangk/ , n.
1. Anat. the part of the lower limb in humans between the knee and the ankle; leg.
2. a corresponding or analogous part in certain animals. See diag. under horse .
3. the lower limb in humans, including both the leg and the thigh.
4. a cut of meat from the top part of the front (foreshank) or back (hind shank) leg of an animal. See diag. under beef .
5. a narrow part of various devices, as a tool or bolt, connecting the end by which the object is held or moved with the end that acts upon another object.
6. a straight, usually narrow, shaftlike part of various objects connecting two more important or complex parts, as the stem of a pipe.
7. a knob, small projection, or end of a device for attaching to another object, as a small knob on the back of a solid button, or the end of a drill for gripping in a shaft.
8. the long, straight part of an anchor connecting the crown and the ring. See diag. under anchor .
9. the straight part of a fishhook away from the bent part or prong. See illus. under fishhook .
10. Music. crook 1 (def. 8).
11. Informal.
a. the early part of a period of time: It was just the shank of the evening when the party began.
b. the latter part of a period of time: They didn't get started until the shank of the morning.
12. the narrow part of the sole of a shoe, lying beneath the instep.
13. shankpiece.
14. Print. the body of a type, between the shoulder and the foot. See diag. under type .
15. Golf. a shot veering sharply to the right after being hit with the base of a club shaft.
16. the part of a phonograph stylus or needle on which the diamond or sapphire tip is mounted.
17. Jewelry. the part of a ring that surrounds the finger; hoop.
18. shank of the evening , the main or best part of the evening: Don't leave yet - it's just the shank of the evening.
v.t.
19. Golf. to hit (a golf ball) with the base of the shaft of a club just above the club head, causing the ball to go off sharply to the right.
v.i.
20. Chiefly Scot. to travel on foot. Cf. shanks' mare .
[ bef. 900; ME (n.); OE sc ( e ) anca; c. LG schanke leg, thigh; akin to G Schenkel thigh, Schinken ham ]