flanker

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a soldier or unit positioned to guard, attack, or operate on the side of a military formation

   Two flankers rode beside the column to watch for an ambush.

2. 2
   noun

   a rugby union forward who plays at either side of the back row of the scrum

   The flanker broke quickly from the scrum and tackled the opposing fly-half.

3. 3
   noun

   in American football, a receiver positioned wide and slightly behind the line of scrimmage

   The flanker went in motion before the snap.

Formed from flank + the agent suffix -er. The military term names someone positioned on a formation's flank; rugby and American-football senses likewise refer to players assigned to a side position.

Topics

External links

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images