hank

[Icel. hank i =a hasp or clasp of a chest; hönk, hangr =a hank, a coil; hang a coil of a snake; Dan. hank =the handle or ear of a ve el; Sw. hank = a string, a band; Ger. henkel a handle, ring, or hook. Connected with the verb hang (q. v.).] I. Ordinary Language: 1. A skein of thread. "In the bleaching of your yarn, you must first open each hank , and lay it in your bucking keeve or tub." Maxwell : Sel . Trans., p. 344. *2. A tie, a hold, a check, a restraint. "The hank that some gallants have on their trusting merchants." - Decay of Piety . 3. A withy or rope for fastening a gate. 4. "Hank" is frequently used in this country for Ornith.: The Baltimore Oriole. [HANG-NEST.] hanging-bracket, s. The same as HANGER, I. 3. the name "Henry. hanging-bridge, s . Steam-eng.: A hollow, vertical partition depend- ing from the bottom of a boiler, and serving to deflect the flame. The hollow forms a part of the water-space of the boiler. The usual water-bridge rises from the furnace floor at the rear of the grate space. hanging-buttre , s. Arch.: A buttre supported on a corbel. chin, bench; go, gem; thin, this; II. Technically : hank hănk, v. t. [HANK, 8.] 1. To form into hanks. 2. To compa tightly by means of a rope or cord; to draw or fasten tightly.