A flank is the side of something, especially the side of an animal or a person’s body between the ribs and the hip. In military or sports talk, it means the side of a group or formation.
“Flank” comes from Old French “flanc,” meaning “side,” and from a Germanic root related to bending or curving. It has long been used both for bodies and for the sides of armies.
To “flank” someone in battle means to attack from the side, where they’re less protected. That same idea appears in sports, where teams try to use the flanks to get around the strongest defenders.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.