flank

C1 Topic:The Human Body

US /ˈflæŋk/ UK /flæŋk/ See IPA manual

Minimal pairs

Sounds like franc /l/ vs /r/

Freq #10244

Meanings

1

noun
the side of something, especially the side of a body or military formation

The cavalry attacked the army's left flank.
2

verb
to be positioned on one or both sides of something

Two stone columns flank the entrance.
3

noun
a cut of meat from the side of an animal between the ribs and hip

The chef sliced the flank thinly across the grain.

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the side of something,... side wing

2 verb · to be positioned on one or... border side surround

3 noun · a cut of meat from the side... flank steak

More straddle

Opposites

center front rear

Word family

Forms flanks

Derived forms flanksflanker outflankflankwise

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

flank attack
an attack directed at the side of an opposing force

Noun + noun

Etymology

From Middle English flanc, from Old French flanc, probably of Germanic origin and related to words for a bend, hip, or side.

Topics

The Human Body

External links

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