Shank — Defs

01 n. See Chank.

02 n. The part of the leg from the knee to the foot; the shin; the shin bone; also, the whole leg.

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.
3.
The space between two channels of the Doric triglyph.(Arch.)
4.
A large ladle for molten metal, fitted with long bars for handling it.(Founding)
5.
The body of a type.(Print.)
6.
The part of the sole beneath the instep connecting the broader front part with the heel.(Shoemaking)
7.
A wading bird with long legs; as, the green-legged shank, or knot; the yellow shank, or tattler; -- called also shanks.(Zool.) Also: shanks
8.
Flat-nosed pliers, used by opticians for nipping off the edges of pieces of glass to make them round.

Phrases & compounds

Shank painter — 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.

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

1.
To fall off, as a leaf, flower, or capsule, on account of disease affecting the supporting footstalk; -- usually followed by off.