lank

UK: læŋk | US: læŋk

Definition

  1. adj. (of hair) straight, long, and limp

  2. adj. (of a person or limb) lean and thin

Structure
lank <slender or loose>
Etymology

The word "lank" traces back to Old English hlanc, meaning "slender, loose, or flexible." It is related to Old High German hlan (lean) and shares roots with the modern English word "lean." Over time, "lank" narrowed in meaning to describe long, straight hair or a thin, gaunt physique, emphasizing a lack of bulk or rigidity. Its Germanic origins reflect a focus on physical tautness or spareness.

Examples

  1. Her lank hair hung straight down her back.

  2. The lank branches of the willow tree swayed in the wind.

  3. He was tall and lank, with sharp features.

  4. The dog’s lank frame suggested it had been underfed.

  5. She tied up her lank strands into a loose ponytail.