Dictionary

lank

adjective \ˈlaŋk\

of hair : hanging straight down in an unattractive way

Full Definition of LANK

1
:  not well filled out :  slender, thin <lank cattle>
2
:  insufficient in quantity, degree, or extent
3
:  hanging straight and limp without spring or curl
lank·ly adverb
lank·ness noun
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Origin of LANK

Middle English, from Old English hlanc; akin to Old High German hlanca loin
First Known Use: before 12th century

Synonym Discussion of LANK

lean, spare, lank, lanky, gaunt, rawboned, scrawny, skinny mean thin because of an absence of excess flesh. lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours <a lean racehorse>. spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise <the gymnast's spare figure>. lank implies tallness as well as leanness <the lank legs of the heron>. lanky suggests awkwardness and loose-jointedness as well as thinness <a lanky youth, all arms and legs>. gaunt implies marked thinness or emaciation as from overwork or suffering <a prisoner's gaunt face>. rawboned suggests a large ungainly build without implying undernourishment <a rawboned farmer>. scrawny and skinny imply an extreme leanness that suggests deficient strength and vitality <a scrawny chicken> <skinny street urchins>.
LANK Defined for Kids

lank

adjective \ˈlaŋk\
lank·erlank·est

Definition of LANK for Kids

1
:  not well filled out :  thin <lank cattle>
2
:  hanging straight and limp in an unattractive way <lank hair>

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