Shank /(?)/

Shank

n.
  1. See Chank. (Zool.)

Shank

n.
  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.
  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.)
  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.

Shank

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