Flank

n. [Fr. & Pr. flanc, It. fianco, probably from Lat. flaccus, flabby, with n inserted; Sp. & Pg. flanco, Ger. flanke, Sw. & Dan. flank. Cf. M. H. Ger. franke, from krank, weak, Eng. the weak side.]

1Sense 1. The fleshy or muscular part of the side of an animal, between the ribs and the hip.

2Sense 2. (Mil.) (a.) The side of an army, or of any division of an army, as of a brigade, regiment, or battalion; the extreme right or left; as, to attack an enemy in flank is to attack him on the side.

When to right and left the front Divided, and to either flank retired. Milton.

(b.) (Fort.) That part of a bastion which reaches from the curtain to the face, and defends the opposite face; any part of a work defending another by a fire along the outside of its parapet. [See Illust. of Bastion.]

3Sense 3. (Arch.) The side of any building. Brande.

4Sense 4. The straight part of the tooth of a wheel which receives the impulse. Francis.

5Sense 5. (pl.) A wrench or other injury sustained by a horse in the back. Craig.

[imp. & p. p. FLANKED (flāŋkt); p. pr. & vb. n. FLANKING.] [Fr. flanquer, Sp. flanquear, It. fiancheggiare. See supra.]

1Sense 1. To stand at the flank or side of; to border upon. Stately colonnades are flanked with trees. Pitt.

2Sense 2. To overlook or command the flank of; to secure or guard the flank of; to pass around or turn the flank of; to attack, or threaten to attack, the flank of.