First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1shank
noun \ˈshaŋk\
: the straight, narrow part of a tool that connects the part that does the work with the part that you hold
: a piece of meat cut from the upper part of the leg
: the part of the leg between the knee and the ankle
Full Definition of SHANK
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 usually 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 <11 p.m. on the East coast is merely the shank of the evening on the West coast>
5
slang : an often homemade knife
— shanked \ˈshaŋ(k)t\ adjective
See shank defined for English-language learners
See shank defined for kids
Origin of SHANK
Middle English shanke, from Old English scanca; akin to Old Norse skakkr crooked, Greek skazein to limp
Other Anatomy Terms
2shank
transitive verb
Definition of SHANK
: 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
First Known Use of SHANK
1927
SHANK[1] Defined for Kids
shank
noun \ˈshaŋk\
Definition of SHANK for Kids
1
: the part of the leg between the knee and ankle
2
: a cut of meat from the usually upper part of the leg <a lamb shank>
3
: the part of a tool that connects the working part with a part by which it is held or moved <the shank of a drill bit>
Medical Dictionary
shank
noun \ˈshaŋk\
Medical Definition of SHANK
: the part of the leg between the knee and the ankle in humans or a corresponding part in other vertebrates
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