Shank word meaning and definition

[noun] lower part of the leg extending from the hock to the fetlock in hoofed mammals
[noun] the narrow part of the shoe connecting the heel and the wide part of the sole
[noun] cylinder forming the part of a bit by which it is held in the drill
[noun] cylinder forming the part of a bolt between the thread and the head
[noun] cylinder forming a long narrow part of something
[noun] the part of the human leg between the knee and the ankle
[noun] a cut of meat (beef or veal or mutton or lamb) from the upper part of the leg

\Shank\, n. (Zo["o]l.) See {Chank}.
\Shank\, n. [OE. shanke, schanke, schonke, AS. scanca, sceanca, sconca, sceonca; akin to D. schonk a bone, G. schenkel thigh, shank, schinken ham, OHG. scincha shank, Dan. & Sw. skank. [root]161. Cf. {Skink}, v.] 1. The part of the leg from the knee to the foot; the shin; the shin bone; also, the whole leg. His youthful hose, well saved, a world too wide For his shrunk shank. --Shak. 2. Hence, that part of an instrument, tool, or other thing, which connects the acting part with a handle or other part, by which it is held or moved. Specifically:
(a) That part of a key which is between the bow and the part which enters the wards of the lock.
(b) The middle part of an anchor, or that part which is between the ring and the arms. See Illustr. of {Anchor}.
(c) That part of a hoe, rake, knife, or the like, by which it is secured to a handle.
(d) A loop forming an eye to a button. 3. (Arch.) The space between two channels of the Doric triglyph. --Gwilt. 4. (Founding) A large ladle for molten metal, fitted with long bars for handling it. 5. (Print.) The body of a type. 6. (Shoemaking) The part of the sole beneath the instep connecting the broader front part with the heel. 7. (Zo["o]l.) A wading bird with long legs; as, the green-legged shank, or knot; the yellow shank, or tattler; -- called also {shanks}. 8. pl. Flat-nosed pliers, used by opticians for nipping off the edges of pieces of glass to make them round. {Shank painter} (Naut.), a short rope or chain which holds the shank of an anchor against the side of a vessel when it is secured for a voyage. {To ride shank's mare}, to go on foot; to walk.
\Shank\, v. i. To fall off, as a leaf, flower, or capsule, on account of disease affecting the supporting footstalk; -- usually followed by off. --Darwin.

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