flank
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.the side of a person's or animal's body between the ribs and the hip.
n.the lateral part of the body between the last rib and the hip.
Simple“The horse had a small white patch on its left flank.”
In context“The patient complained of a sharp, localized pain in her right flank, suggesting a potential issue with the kidney.”
Synonymssidehaunch - 02 C1 Advanced
n.the right or left side of a group of soldiers or a sports team.
n.the extreme left or right edge of a military formation, army, or sports field.
Simple“The fast runner moved down the left flank to cross the ball into the box.”
In context“The general ordered a surprise attack on the enemy's weakened eastern flank to break their defensive line.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a cut of beef from the side of the cow, often used for grilling.
n.a specific cut of meat from the abdominal muscles of an animal, typically lean and fibrous.
Simple“We marinated the flank steak for three hours before putting it on the grill.”
In context“Because flank is a relatively tough cut of meat, it should be sliced thinly against the grain to ensure tenderness.”
Synonymsflank steak - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to be positioned on one or both sides of something or someone.
v.to be situated at the side of; in the passive, to be bordered on either side.
Simple“Two tall stone towers flank the entrance to the castle.”
In context“The president walked toward the podium, flanked by security guards and senior advisors.”
- 05 C1 Advanced
v.to move around the side of an enemy to attack them from a weaker spot.
v.to maneuver around the side of an opposing force so as to outflank or bypass their frontal defenses.
Simple“The soldiers tried to flank the enemy instead of attacking from the front.”
In context“By successfully flanking the opposing battalion, the troops were able to seize the hilltop without a direct confrontation.”
Synonymsoutmaneuverbypass - 06 C2 Proficiency
adj.the fastest speed a ship can go, usually used in an emergency.
adj.referring to the maximum possible speed of a vessel, exceeding 'full speed'.
Simple“The captain ordered flank speed to reach the sinking boat as fast as possible.”
In context“The destroyer maintained flank speed for several hours during the pursuit, testing the limits of its propulsion system endurance.”
UsageUsually used in the phrase 'flank speed'.
“He led with a photo of him and his kids – sons Xavier, 18, and Hadien, 12, and 17-year-old daughter Ella Grace – flanking his mother Margaret.”
“Nuno Mendes galloped on to Kvaratskhelia’s flipped pass but the full-back’s cutback from the left flank evaded the £43m summer buy Maghnes Akliouche and three other blue and red shirts.”
From Late Middle English flanc, from Late Old English flanc (“flank”), from Old French flanc, of Germanic origin, probably Frankish hlanca, from Proto-Germanic hlankō (“bend, curve, hip, flank”), from Proto-Germanic hlankaz (“flexible, sleek, bendsome”), from Proto-Indo-European kleng- (“to bend”). Akin to Old High German hlanca (“loin”), Middle Low German lanke (“hip joint”) (German lenken (“to bend, turn, lead”)), Old English hlanc (“loose, slender, flaccid, lank”). More at lank.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.