flank defense

Mil .: A line of fire parallel or nearly so to the point of another work or position. flank, *flanck, v. t. & i. [Fr. flanquer; Sp. flan quear.] [FLANK, 8.] A. Transitive : 1. To form a side, edge, or border to; to border; to stand, lie, or be at the flank or side of. "And yet in town and country prospects please Where stately colonnades are flanked with trees." Pitt : Epistle to J. Pitt , Esq . 2. To secure or protect on the side or flank. "By the rich scent we found our perfumed prey, Which, flanked with rocks, did close in covert lie." Dryden: Annus Mirabilis , xxvi. B. In trans.: To come on the flank or side. *flăńk'-er (2), *flanck-er, v. i . [FLANKE, 8.] Το flame, to burn. flăńks, s. [Etym. doubtful.] A wrench or any other injury in the back of a horse.