Flank
/flæŋk/noun
The side of a person, animal, or object, especially the area between the ribs and hip; also, to be situated at the side of something.
Did you know?“Flank” is related to a family of Germanic words for the side or edge, and its military power came later when the “side” became the vulnerable place to attack.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*hlankaz
“side, flank”
Old English
OE
flanc
“side of the body, especially the region between the ribs and hip”
Middle English
ME
flank
“side of the body; side of a thing”
14th Century
English
flank
“the side of an army or fortification”
Modern English
English
flank
“the side of a person, animal, or object; to be at the side of”