[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/flank/)

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# flank

noun (a flank, flanks); verb (flank, flanks, flanked, flanking)

«flank» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. The side of an animal's or person's body between the ribs and the hip. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flank/#m1)
2. The side of an army, a team formation or a building. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flank/#m2)
3. (verb) To be at the side of someone or something: «flanked by guards». [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flank/#m3)
4. (verb) To go round the side of an enemy to attack. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flank/#m4)

### In the lessons

In history and battles, generals attack an enemy's flank, its weak side. In sport, players run down the flank (the wing). In stories, «the president, flanked by bodyguards» tells you who stood beside him. In farming, a horse's or cow's flank is its side. Phrases: «flanked by», «on the left flank», «attack the flank».

### Examples

- The horse had a scratch on its flank. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flank/#x1)
- The army attacked the enemy's left flank. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flank/#x2)
- The winger ran down the right flank and crossed the ball. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flank/#x3)
- The headteacher walked in, flanked by two teachers. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flank/#x4)
- Tall trees flanked the path. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flank/#x5)
- The soldiers tried to flank the castle from the hill. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flank/#x6)
- The Mouse peeped out, crept furtively up his flank, and again biting him, retreated to his hole. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flank/#x7)

### Note

Countable noun and regular verb. Often passive: «flanked by». In sport, «flank» means wing.

## In Jewish tradition

Here it means the side of the land. Zebulun's territory was to lie along the coast, reaching toward Zidon (Sidon). Ezekiel also uses it for the side or border of Moab.

**Interpretation.** Jacob's blessing of Zebulun is read as the tribe being a seafaring, trading people. Tradition says Zebulun made his living from trade and supported Issachar's Torah study. In Ezekiel the "opened flank" is read as God leaving Moab's border towns open to enemies.

### Examples

- Zebulun shall dwell at the shore of the sea, and he shall be a shore for ships, and his flank shall be upon Zidon. (Torah GEN.49.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/flank/#x1)
- therefore, behold, I will open the flank of Moab on the side of the cities, on the side of his cities which are on his frontiers, the beauteous country of Beth-jeshimoth, Baal-meon, and Kiriathaim, (Prophets EZK.25.9, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/flank/#x2)

### Note

Countable noun and regular verb. Often passive: «flanked by». In sport, «flank» means wing.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «flank» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/F/flank/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«flank» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/flank.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «flank» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/F/flank/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«flank» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/flank.html) on Mova free.