hank

• POS: Noun, Verb (transitive)

CIDE DICTIONARY

hank, n. [Cf. Dan. hank handle, Sw. hank a band or tie, Icel. hanki hasp, clasp, hönk, hangr, hank, coil, skein, G. henkel, henk, handle; all probably akin to E. hang. See Hang.].

•  A parcel consisting of two or more skeins of yarn or thread tied together.  [1913 Webster]
•  A rope or withe for fastening a gate.  [1913 Webster]
•  Hold; influence.  [1913 Webster]

  "When the devil hath got such a hank over him."  [1913 Webster]
•  A ring or eye of rope, wood, or iron, attached to the edge of a sail and running on a stay.  [1913 Webster]
•  A throw in which a wrestler turns his left side to his opponent, twines his left leg about his opponent's right leg from the inside, and throws him backward.  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

hank, v. t. 

•  To fasten with a rope, as a gate.  Wright.  [1913 Webster]
•  To form into hanks.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

hank, n.
1 a coil or skein of wool or thread etc.
2 any of several measures of length of cloth or yarn, e.g. 840 yds. for cotton yarn and 560 yds. for worsted.
3 Naut. a ring of rope, iron, etc., for securing the staysails to the stays.

Etymology

ME f. ON h{ouml}nk: cf. Sw. hank string, Da. hank handle

THESAURUS

hank

animal fiber, artificial fiber, capillament, cilium, cirrus, cobweb, denier, fiber, fibrilla, filament, filamentule, flagellum, gossamer, hair, skein, strand, suture, tendril, thread, threadlet, web

ROGET THESAURUS

hank

Connection

N connection, vinculum, link, connective, connection, junction, bond of union, copula, hyphen, intermedium, bracket, bridge, stepping-stone, isthmus, bond, tendon, tendril, fiber, cord, cordage, riband, ribbon, rope, guy, cable, line, halser, hawser, painter, moorings, wire, chain, string, fastener, fastening, tie, ligament, ligature, strap, tackle, rigging, standing rigging, running rigging, traces, harness, yoke, band ribband, bandage, brace, roller, fillet, inkle, with, withe, withy, thong, braid, girder, tiebeam, girth, girdle, cestus, garter, halter, noose, lasso, surcingle, knot, running knot, cabestro, cinch, lariat, legadero, oxreim, suspenders, pin, corking pin, nail, brad, tack, skewer, staple, corrugated fastener, clamp, U-clamp, C-clamp, cramp, cramp iron, ratchet, detent, larigo, pawl, terret, treenail, screw, button, buckle, clasp, hasp, hinge, hank, catch, latch, bolt, latchet, tag, tooth, hook, hook and eye, lock, holdfast, padlock, rivet, anchor, grappling iron, trennel, stake, post, cement, glue, gum, paste, size, wafer, solder, lute, putty, birdlime, mortar, stucco, plaster, grout, viscum, shackle, rein, prop.