flank Meaning, Definition & Usage

noun the side of military or naval formation
wing.
- they attacked the enemy's right flank
noun a subfigure consisting of a side of something
noun a cut from the fleshy part of an animal's side between the ribs and the leg
noun the side between ribs and hipbone
verb be located at the sides of something or somebody

F. flanc, prob. fr. L. flaccus flabby, with n inserted. Cf. Flaccid, Flanch, Flange.

The fleshy or muscular part of the side of an animal, between the rids and the hip. See Illust. of Beef.
(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 curtain, the flank and face of the opposite bastion; any part of a work defending another by a fire along the outside of its parapet. See Illust. of Bastion.
(Arch.) The side of any building. Brands.
That part of the acting surface of a gear wheel tooth that lies within the pitch line.

Cf. F. flanquer. See Flank, n., and cf. Flanker, v. t.

imperfect & past participle Flanked ; present participle & verbal noun Flanking

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