How Do You Spell OUT FLANK?

Pronunciation: [ˈa͡ʊt flˈaŋk] (IPA)

The word "out flank" refers to the act of getting around someone's defenses in order to attack or gain an advantage. It is spelled /aʊt flæŋk/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The first syllable "out" is pronounced with the vowel sound similar to "ow" in "cow", and the second syllable "flank" is pronounced with the vowel sound similar to "a" in "bank". The use of the letter "k" at the end of the word indicates a hard consonant sound, while the combination of "fl" requires a smooth transition between two consonants.

OUT FLANK Meaning and Definition

1. The term "outflank" is a verb that refers to the strategic action of positioning oneself or a military force in a manner that allows them to gain an advantageous position relative to the enemy by moving around their flank, or the side of their formation. This maneuver is commonly used in warfare to bypass or encircle the opposing force, thereby putting them at a disadvantage and potentially rendering their position untenable. "Outflanking" may involve a rapid movement of troops, vehicles, or artillery to gain a more dominant position either behind or on the sides of the enemy.

   In a broader sense, "outflank" can also be used metaphorically to describe a tactical move or strategy employed in fields other than warfare. For example, in a business context, one may "outflank" a competitor by implementing a market strategy or innovation that places them in a superior position, allowing them to gain an edge or surpass their competition.

   The term is derived from the combination of "out" which indicates motion or position away from something, and "flank" which refers to the side of an individual or group. Together, "outflank" signifies the act of bypassing, surrounding, or gaining an advantageous position relative to the side of an opposing force or competitor.

Common Misspellings for OUT FLANK

• outflank
• out flank
• iut flank
• kut flank
• lut flank
• put flank
• 0ut flank
• 9ut flank
• oyt flank
• oht flank
• ojt flank
• oit flank
• o8t flank
• o7t flank
• our flank
• ouf flank
• oug flank
• ouy flank
• ou6 flank
• ou5 flank

Etymology of OUT FLANK

The word "outflank" originated in the mid-19th century with a combination of two separate words: "out" and "flank".

- "Out" comes from the Old English word "ūt", which means "outside" or "away". It has remained relatively unchanged over time and is still used in the same sense today.

- "Flank" comes from the Old French word "flanc", which means "side". It entered the English language during the late 14th century and refers to the side of something, particularly in reference to the human body or military tactics.

When combined, "outflank" originally referred to a military maneuver in which one force moves around the side of an enemy, attempting to gain an advantageous position by attacking from an unexpected angle.