Shank

shangk, n. the leg below the knee to the foot: the long part of any instrument, as of an anchor between the arms and ring: the part of a tool connecting the handle with the acting part: the part of a shoe connecting the sole with the heel.— v.i. to be affected with disease of the footstalk: to take to one's legs (with it).— v.t. ( Scot. ) to despatch unceremoniously.— adj. Shanked , having a shank: affected with disease of the shank or footstalk.— ns. Shank′-ī′ron , a shaping-tool for shoe-shanks: an iron plate inserted as a stiffening between the leather parts of a shank; Shank′-paint′er , a painter or small rope for fastening the shank of an anchor, when catted, to a ship's side. [A.S. sceanca , leg— sceacan , to shake; Dut. schonk , Low Ger. schake .]