FLANK
flank
(noun) the side between ribs and hipbone
flank
(noun) a cut from the fleshy part of an animal’s side between the ribs and the leg
flank, wing
(noun) the side of military or naval formation; “they attacked the enemy’s right flank”
flank
(noun) a subfigure consisting of a side of something
flank
(verb) be located at the sides of something or somebody
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Verb
flank (third-person singular simple present flanks, present participle flanking, simple past and past participle flanked)
(transitive) To attack the flank(s) of.
(transitive) To defend the flank(s) of.
(transitive) To place to the side(s) of.
(intransitive) To be placed to the side(s) of something (usually in terms of two objects, one on each side).
Noun
flank (plural flanks)
(anatomy) The flesh between the last rib and the hip; the side.
(cooking) A cut of meat from the flank of an animal.
(military) The extreme left or right edge of a military formation, army etc.
(military) The sides of a bastion perpendicular to the wall from which the bastion projects.
The side of something, in general senses.
The outermost strip of a road.
(soccer) The wing, one side of the pitch.
That part of the acting surface of a gear wheel tooth that lies within the pitch line.
Synonyms
• (all senses): side
• (side of formation): wing
Adjective
flank (not comparable)
(US, nautical, of speed) Maximum. Historically faster than full speed (the most a vessel can sustain without excessive engine wear or risk of damage), now frequently used interchangeably. Typically used in an emergency or during an attack.
Source: Wiktionary
Flank, n. Etym: [F. flanc, prob. fr. L. flaccus flabby, with n
inserted. Cf. Flaccid, Flanch, Flange.]
1. The fleshy or muscular part of the side of an animal, between the
rids and the hip. See Illust. of Beef.
2. (Mil.)
(a) The side of an army, or of any division of an army, as of a
brigade, regiment, or battalion; the extreme right or left; as, to
attack an enemy in flank is to attack him on the side.
When to right and left the front
Divided, and to either flank retired. Milton.
(b) (Fort.)
Definition: That part of a bastion which reaches from the curtain to the
face, and defends the curtain, the flank and face of the opposite
bastion; any part of a work defending another by a fire along the
outside of its parapet. See Illust. of Bastion.
3. (Arch.)
Definition: The side of any building. Brands.
4. That part of the acting surface of a gear wheel tooth that lies
within the pitch line. Flank attack (Mil.), an attack upon the side
of an army or body of troops, distinguished from one upon its front
or rear.
– Flank company (Mil.), a certain number of troops drawn up on the
right or left of a battalion; usually grenadiers, light infantry, or
riflemen.
– Flank defense (Fort.), protection of a work against undue
exposure to an enemy's direct fire, by means of the fire from other
works, sweeping the ground in its front.
– Flank en potence (Mil.), any part of the right or left wing
formed at a projecting angle with the line.
– Flank files, the first men on the right, and the last on the
left, of a company, battalion, etc.
– Flank march, a march made parallel or obliquely to an enemy's
position, in order to turn it or to attack him on the flank.
– Flank movement, a change of march by an army, or portion of one,
in order to turn one or both wings of the enemy, or to take up a new
position.
– Flanks of a frontier, salient points in a national boundary,
strengthened to protect the frontier against hostile incursion.
– Flank patrol, detachments acting independently of the column of
an army, but patrolling along its flanks, to secure it against
surprise and to observe the movements of the enemy.
Flank, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Flanked; p. pr. & vb. n. Flanking.] Etym:
[Cf. F. flanquer. See Flank, n., and cf. Flanker, v. t.]
1. To stand at the flank or side of; to border upon.
Stately colonnades are flanked with trees. Pitt.
2. To overlook or command the flank of; to secure or guard the flank
of; to pass around or turn the flank of; to attack, or threaten to
attack; the flank of.
Flank, v. i.
1. To border; to touch. Bp. Butler.
2. To be posted on the side.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition