flank

Plural: flanks

Noun

• the side of military or naval formation
  • "they attacked the enemy's right flank"
• a subfigure consisting of a side of something
• a cut from the fleshy part of an animal's side between the ribs and the leg
• the side between ribs and hipbone
• The lateral flesh between the last rib and the hip.
• A cut of meat from the flank of an animal.
• The extreme left or right edge of a military formation, army etc.
• The sides of a bastion perpendicular to the wall from which the bastion projects.
• The side of something, in general senses.
• Either of the two pockets located on the seat of a pair of pants.
• An ideological faction within a political party.
• The outermost strip of a road.
• The wing, one side of the pitch.
• That part of the acting surface of a gear wheel tooth that lies within the pitch line.

Verb

Verb Forms: flanked, flanking, flanks

• To be situated at the side of; to guard the side of.
• be located at the sides of something or somebody
• To attack the flank(s) of.
• To defend the flank(s) of.
• To place to the side(s) of.
• To be placed to the side(s) of something (usually in terms of two objects, one on each side).

Adj

• 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.

Examples

• All ahead flank!
• He decided to FLANK his opponent’s strong word with a parallel play.

Synonyms

wing, latus, side, straddle

Anagrams of flank