SHANK
What does "SHANK" mean?
The part of the leg between the knee and ankle, or the long narrow stem of a tool or object.
Meanings
- The lower part of the leg in humans, or the corresponding cut of meat from an animal's leg. She braised the lamb shank until it fell off the bone.
- The straight narrow stem connecting the working end of a tool, key, anchor, or button to its head or grip. The drill bit's shank was too wide for the chuck. technical
- In golf, to strike the ball with the part of the club where the head meets the shaft, sending it sharply sideways. He shanked his approach shot straight into the trees. technical
- A crude improvised knife, especially one made in prison. Guards found a shank hidden in the mattress. informal
Word origin
From Old English 'sceanca', meaning leg or shin bone, from a Proto-Germanic root '*skankô' related to bending or limping.
Remember it
SHANK starts like SHIN and SHIN is part of your leg - both are the long bone below the knee.
A little poem
One word for the lamb's slow-cooked leg,
the anchor's stem, the golfer's curse-
the long thin part that bears the load.
tercet
What it teaches
The same plain part - the long thin middle - is prized in a stew and dreaded on a fairway.
Quick facts
What does SHANK mean?
The part of the leg between the knee and ankle, or the long narrow stem of a tool or object.
Is SHANK a valid word?
Yes — SHANK is one of the answer words in Wordul, the daily word game.
How many letters is SHANK?
SHANK has 5 letters and 1 syllable.
Where does SHANK come from?
From Old English 'sceanca', meaning leg or shin bone, from a Proto-Germanic root '*skankô' related to bending or limping.
What can SHANK teach us?
The same plain part - the long thin middle - is prized in a stew and dreaded on a fairway.
How players do
Be the first to solve it.