Background for shank

shank

/ʃæŋk/

Illustration shank - Image 1

noun

The part of the leg between the knee and the ankle.

Examples :

"After tripping on the stairs, I felt a sharp pain in my shank. "

anatomy body part

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noun

Meat from that part of an animal.

Examples :

"For dinner, we are having lamb shank braised in red wine. "

food animal part

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noun

A redshank or greenshank, various species of Old World wading birds in the genus Tringa having distinctly colored legs.

Examples :

"While birdwatching at the coast, we spotted a shank wading in the shallows, its bright red legs easily visible. "

bird animal nature

Illustration shank - Image 1

noun

A straight, narrow part of an object, such as a key or an anchor; shaft; stem.

Examples :

"The key broke off in the lock, leaving only the shank in my hand. "

part structure item

Illustration shank - Image 1

noun

The handle of a pair of shears, connecting the ride to the neck.

Examples :

"The gardener carefully oiled the shank of the shears to keep them from sticking. "

Illustration shank - Image 1

noun

The center part of a fishhook between the eye and the hook, the 'hook' being the curved part that bends toward the point.

Examples :

"When tying the fishing line, make sure to wrap it securely around the shank of the hook to prevent the fish from getting away. "

fish nautical part technical utensil

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noun

A protruding part of an object, by which it is or can be attached.

Examples :

"The shoemaker hammered the nail through the leather and into the shank of the new shoe to secure the sole. "

part item structure

Illustration shank - Image 1

noun

The metal part on a curb bit that falls below the mouthpiece, which length controls the severity of the leverage action of the bit, and to which the reins of the bridle are attached.

Examples :

"The length of the shank on the cowboy's bit gave him precise control over his horse during the cattle drive. "

animal machine utensil technical

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noun

A poorly played golf shot in which the ball is struck by the part of the club head that connects to the shaft.

Examples :

"His drive was a terrible shank, sending the ball slicing sharply to the right and into the woods. "

Illustration shank - Image 1

noun

An improvised stabbing weapon; a shiv.

Examples :

"Because he was caught with a shank made from a sharpened toothbrush, the prisoner was placed in solitary confinement. "

Illustration shank - Image 1

noun

A loop forming an eye to a button.

Examples :

"The old coat had buttons with a long shank, making them easy to fasten even with gloves on. "

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noun

The space between two channels of the Doric triglyph.

Examples :

"The art history textbook explained that the shank, the flat space between the carved vertical grooves (triglyphs), is a key feature of Doric columns. "

architecture part

Illustration shank - Image 1

noun

A large ladle for molten metal, fitted with long bars for handling it.

Examples :

"The workers carefully poured the molten iron from the shank into the molds to create new engine parts. "

material utensil industry machine

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noun

The body of a type; between the shoulder and the foot.

Examples :

"The giraffe's long shank supported its heavy head. "

body anatomy part

Illustration shank - Image 1

noun

(shoemaking) The part of the sole beneath the instep connecting the broader front part with the heel.

Examples :

"The shoemaker carefully inspected the shank of the boot, making sure it provided enough arch support. "

part technical wear

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noun

Flat-nosed pliers, used by opticians for nipping off the edges of pieces of glass to make them round.

Examples :

"The optician used the shank to carefully round the edge of the new lens before fitting it into my glasses frame. "

device utensil job technical

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noun

The end or remainder, particularly of a period of time.

Examples :

"We arrived at the movie theater during the shank of the evening. "

Illustration shank - Image 1

noun

The main part or beginning of a period of time.

Examples :

"the shank of the morning"

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verb

To travel on foot.

Examples :

"The hikers shanked across the mountain pass to reach the summit. "

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verb

To stab, especially with an improvised blade.

Examples :

"During the prison riot, one inmate tried to shank another with a sharpened spoon. "

weapon police action inhuman

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verb

To remove another's trousers, especially in jest; to depants.

Examples :

"During the playful office prank war, Mark tried to shank John as he walked past, but John was too quick. "

human action entertainment culture

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verb

To misstrike the ball with the part of the club head that connects to the shaft.

Examples :

"During his golf lesson, the beginner tried to hit the ball straight, but he unfortunately shanked it to the right. "

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verb

To hit or kick the ball in an unintended direction.

Examples :

"The soccer player shanked the ball, sending it flying into the neighbor's garden. "

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verb

To fall off, as a leaf, flower, or capsule, on account of disease affecting the supporting footstalk; usually followed by off.

Examples :

"Because of a fungal infection at the stem, the tomato ripened prematurely and began to shank off its vine. "

biology plant disease

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verb

To provide (a button) with a shank (loop forming an eye).

Examples :

"My grandmother will shank the buttons onto the cardigan she's knitting so they're easier to fasten. "

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verb

(shoemaking) To apply the shank to a shoe, during the process of manufacturing it.

Examples :

"The experienced shoemaker carefully shanked the arch support into the insole, ensuring a comfortable and durable fit. "

technical process industry work

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adjective

Examples :

""My day was shank; I spilled coffee on my shirt, missed the bus, and then failed my quiz." "

quality negative