hank
hank Lexical Profile
hank Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A coiled or looped bundle of yarn, twine, rope, or hair, often representing a specific standard length of spun thread (such as 840 yards of cotton or 560 yards of worsted).
"The weaver purchased several dyed hanks of merino wool to complete the tapestry."
A fitting or clip of metal, plastic, or rope used on a sailboat to attach the luff (forward edge) of a staysail or jib to a stay.
"Before hoisting the jib, the crew checked that every hank was securely fastened to the forestay."
• verb
To wind or form yarn, thread, or rope into coils or hanks.
"After spinning the fleece, she carefully hanked the yarn so it could be washed and dyed."
To fasten or attach a sail to a stay using hanks (often followed by 'on').
"With the wind rising, the sailors hurried to hank on the storm jib."
• Rhymes for hank
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old Norse 'hönk', meaning a coil, skein, or clasp, ultimately from a Proto-Germanic root related to 'hang'.