shank

IPA/ʃæŋk/
KK[ʃˈæŋk]IPA/ʃæŋk/

shank — noun

  • shanksingular
  • shanksplural

1. the section of a hand tool that lies in the middle, linking the portion you grip

1.名詞B2
釋義

the section of a hand tool that lies in the middle, linking the portion you grip to the end that performs the work

例句

The shank of the screwdriver bent when Wei tried to pry open the paint can.

The nail's shank snapped under the weight of the heavy picture frame.

collocation: nail shank

同義詞
  • stem

    more common for plants, glasses, or wineglasses; less specific to tools

  • shaft

    used for similar tool parts but often implies a longer, narrower cylinder

文法句型

the shank of + [tool/object]

用法筆記

Object is typically a hand tool or fastener (screwdriver, nail, drill bit, key, golf club). The shank is the straight section between the gripping end and the working end.

常見錯誤

❌The shank of the knife cut my finger.
✅The blade of the knife cut my finger.
💡On a knife, the 'shank' is the narrow part between the blade and the handle, not the cutting edge.

2. the section of a person's or animal's leg that runs from just below the knee joi

2.名詞B1
釋義

the section of a person's or animal's leg that runs from just below the knee joint down to the ankle

例句

Nora rolled up her trousers after the hike and found a dark bruise on her shank.

collocation: bruise on shank

The horse's shank was thick and muscular from years of galloping across open fields.

同義詞
  • lower leg

    more common in everyday English; broader term

  • shin

    refers specifically to the front of the lower leg, not the whole section

文法句型

possessive + shank

用法筆記

In everyday human anatomy, 'shin' or 'lower leg' is more common than 'shank.' 'Shank' appears more often in animal anatomy, agricultural contexts, or when measuring livestock.

常見錯誤

❌He kicked me in the shank.
✅He kicked me in the shin.
💡'Shank' refers to the whole lower leg; 'shin' is specifically the front bone area (tibia).

3. a sharp, hand-made weapon, typically a piece of metal or plastic ground to a poi

3.名詞C1
釋義

a sharp, hand-made weapon, typically a piece of metal or plastic ground to a point, made secretly in prison

例句

The guard discovered a shank hidden inside a hollowed-out book in the cell.

collocation: hide a shank

Omar was stabbed in the arm with a shank during a fight in the cafeteria.

同義詞

文法句型

make + a shank

hide + a shank

用法筆記

Primarily used in prison and criminal justice contexts. The word strongly implies an improvised weapon made from available materials, not a manufactured knife.

常見錯誤

❌The chef cut the vegetables with a shank.
✅The chef cut the vegetables with a kitchen knife.
💡'Shank' for a weapon is prison slang; never use it for a regular kitchen knife.

4. a meat cut taken from the leg section of an animal, which contains tough muscle

4.名詞B2
釋義

a meat cut taken from the leg section of an animal, which contains tough muscle fibres and requires long, slow cooking

例句

The chef braised the lamb shank in wine until the meat became tender.

collocation: lamb shank

Amara bought two veal shanks from the butcher for the weekend stew.

同義詞
  • leg (meat)

    less specific; 'shank' names the cut more precisely

文法句型

[animal] + shank

用法筆記

Most often seen on restaurant menus for lamb ('lamb shank'). Requires slow, moist cooking methods such as braising or stewing because the meat contains a lot of connective tissue.

常見錯誤

❌I grilled a beef shank like a steak.
✅I braised the beef shank for three hours until tender.
💡Shank meat is too tough for quick cooking methods; it needs long, slow heat.

shank — verb