noun
- the side of an animal or a person between the ribs and hip.
- the thin piece of flesh constituting this part.
- a slice of meat from the flank of an animal.
- the side of anything, as of a building.
- Military, Navy. the extreme right or left side of an army or fleet, or a subdivision of an army or fleet.
- Fortification.
- the right or left side of a work or fortification.
- the part of a bastion that extends from the curtain to the face and protects the curtain and the opposite face.
- Machinery. (on a screw thread or the like) either of the two vertical inclined surfaces between the crest and the root.
verb (used with object)
- to stand or be placed or posted at the flank or side of.
- to defend or guard at the flank.
- Military. to menace or attack the flank of.
- to pass around or turn the flank of.
verb (used without object)
- to occupy a position at the flank or side.
- to present the flank or side.
noun
- the side of a man or animal between the ribs and the hip
- (loosely) the outer part of the human thigh
- a cut of beef from the flank
- the side of anything, such as a mountain or building
- the side of a naval or military formation
verb
- (when intr, often foll by on or upon) to be located at the side of (an object, building, etc)
- military to position or guard on or beside the flank of (a formation, etc)
- military to move past or go round (a flank)
late Old English flanc “fleshy part of the side,” from Old French flanc, probably from Frankish *hlanca (cf. Old High German (h)lanca, Middle High German lanke “hip joint,” German lenken “to bend, turn, lead”), from PIE root *kleng- “to bend, turn” (see link (n.)). The military sense is first attested 1540s, as is the verb. Related: Flanked; flanking.
n.
- The side of the body between the pelvis or hip and the last rib; the side.
- The section of flesh in that area.