| 释义 |
flank
I. \ˈflaŋk, -aiŋk\ noun
(-s)
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Old French flanc, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German hlanca loin, flank — more at lank
1.
a. : the fleshy part of the side between the ribs and the hip; broadly : the side of a quadruped
< the horse stood with quivering flanks >
— see cow illustration
b. : a cut of meat from this part of an animal — see beef illustration
c. : hide or leather from the flank or belly of an animal
2.
a. : side
< sheltering on the flank of the hill >
b. : the right or left of a formation (as a line of battle, a line of scrimmage, a marching column)
< attacked the enemy on both flanks >
c. : the part of a bastion that reaches from the curtain to the face and defends the curtain and the flank and face of the opposite bastion
d. : either side of a fortification — see bastion illustration
3.
a. : the area along either side of an escutcheon — see point illustration
b. : the central part of this area
4.
a. : the profile of the root of a gear tooth or the portion of a gear tooth between the root and the pitch circle
b. : the contacting face of a screw thread
c. : either side of a cutting tool (as a chisel) intersecting the cutting edge and adjacent to the face
II. verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
transitive verb
1. : to shelter or protect a side of
< used cavalry to stabilize and flank the infantry during an attack >
< a wall flanked with tall towers >
2.
a. : to attack or threaten the flank of (as a body of troops)
b. : to turn the flank of
< the reserve forces were unexpectedly flanked and immobilized by a detachment of tanks >
3.
a. : to stand or be situated at the side of : border especially on each side
< a long avenue flanked with lindens >
b. : to place something on each side of
< by flanking the mirror with tall candelabra >
4. archaic : escape, evade
< successfully flanked his pursuers >
< the recruits flanked drill whenever possible >
intransitive verb
1. : to be placed or move to, toward, or along a side
< at the wave of his handler's hand the dog flanked off and turned the straggling sheep >
2. : to present the flank — used with on
< the fort flanked on a swamp >
III. transitive verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: probably imitative
: flick, flip |