SHANK Meaning and
Definition
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Shank can be defined as a noun with multiple meanings depending on the context. One common meaning of shank refers to the lower part of the leg, specifically the portion between the knee and ankle. In human anatomy, the shank typically refers to the tibia or fibula bones, which are the long bones supporting the lower limb. In culinary terms, the shank denotes a cut of meat from the lower leg of an animal, known for its tendons and connective tissue that impart flavor and richness when cooked slowly.
Shank is also used as a verb, meaning to strike or hit forcefully with a sharp object, such as a knife or blade. This action often involves stabbing someone or something using the pointed end or sharp edge of a weapon. In this sense, shank is associated with violence or criminal activities.
Additionally, shank can refer to a makeshift or improvised object, typically crafted within confined spaces such as prisons. A shank in this context is a homemade knife or weapon, often made from common materials found in the immediate environment, used for self-defense or offensive purposes.
Furthermore, shank has a colloquial meaning related to golf. It pertains to a poor or errant shot, where the golfer hits the ball with the heel of the club, resulting in the ball veering off in an unintended direction.
Overall, shank encompasses various meanings across different domains, encompassing anatomy, culinary, violent actions with sharp objects, improvised weapons, and golf terminology.
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The tibia, the shin, the leg.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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• The leg from the knee to the ankle, or the large bone of that part; the handle or long part of any instrument; in arch., the plain space between the two channels of the Doric triglyph.
• To sink or excavate a pit or shaft, as being the shank to the mine.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for SHANK
Etymology of SHANK
The word "shank" primarily has two distinct etymological origins, depending on the context in which it is used.
1. As a noun referring to a part of the body or a utensil:
The noun "shank", referring to parts of the body or utensils, comes from Old English "sceanca". It can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word *skankōną, meaning "leg". This word has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as Old Norse "skakkr" and Old High German "scanca".
2. As a noun referring to a prison-made weapon:
The noun "shank", when used to describe a makeshift weapon used in prisons, has a different origin. It derived from the verb "shank", which means "to stab". This verb originated in the 19th century and was a slang term for "stab" or "poke".
Idioms with the word SHANK
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shank it
The idiom "shank it" refers to making a poor or errant shot or kick in sports, particularly in golf or soccer (football). It typically implies that the ball or intended target was struck poorly, resulting in a weak or inaccurate shot.
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shank of the evening
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shank's mare
The idiom "shank's mare" refers to traveling on foot or by walking. It is a humorous or old-fashioned way to describe walking or going somewhere on foot rather than using other modes of transportation.
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by shank's mare
"By shank's mare" is an old-fashioned idiom that refers to walking or traveling on foot, often used when someone does not have access to other modes of transportation.
Similar spelling words for SHANK
- shnook,
- shunk,
- shimek,
- shang,
- shmuck,
- Shanice,
- shonk,
- Shaneka,
- shyness,
- Shanika,
- Shenika,
- shanks,
- shenk.
Conjugate verb Shank
CONDITIONAL
I
would shank
you
would shank
he/she/it
would shank
we
would shank
they
would shank
CONDITIONAL CONTINUOUS
I
would be shanking
you
would be shanking
he/she/it
would be shanking
we
would be shanking
they
would be shanking
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have shank
you
would have shank
he/she/it
would have shank
we
would have shank
they
would have shank
CONDITIONAL PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
would have been shanking
you
would have been shanking
he/she/it
would have been shanking
we
would have been shanking
they
would have been shanking
FUTURE
I
will shank
you
will shank
he/she/it
will shank
we
will shank
they
will shank
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be shanking
you
will be shanking
he/she/it
will be shanking
we
will be shanking
they
will be shanking
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have shanked
you
will have shanked
he/she/it
will have shanked
we
will have shanked
they
will have shanked
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been shanking
you
will have been shanking
he/she/it
will have been shanking
we
will have been shanking
they
will have been shanking
IMPERATIVE
you
shank
we
let´s shank
to shank
PAST
I
shanked
you
shanked
he/she/it
shanked
we
shanked
they
shanked
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was shanking
you
were shanking
he/she/it
was shanking
we
were shanking
they
were shanking
PAST PARTICIPLE
shanked
PAST PERFECT
I
had shanked
you
had shanked
he/she/it
had shanked
we
had shanked
they
had shanked
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been shanking
you
had been shanking
he/she/it
had been shanking
we
had been shanking
they
had been shanking
PRESENT
I
shank
you
shank
he/she/it
shanks
we
shank
they
shank
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am shanking
you
are shanking
he/she/it
is shanking
we
are shanking
they
are shanking
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
shanking
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have shanked
you
have shanked
he/she/it
has shanked
we
have shanked
they
have shanked
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been shanking
you
have been shanking
he/she/it
has been shanking
we
have been shanking
they
have been shanking
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