Plank
/plæŋk/noun
A long, flat piece of timber or board.
Did you know?The word 'plank' is linked to the Old Norse term for 'plank' which also referred to 'the flat side of a shield'—a reminder of battle and protection.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*plānk-
“to spread or stretch out”
Ancient Germanic
Old Norse
planka
“a flat piece of wood or board”
Middle English
Middle English
planke
“a board or plank, particularly in construction or flooring”
Modern English
English
plank
“a thick, flat piece of timber or board, used in various constructions”