The Collaborative International Dictionary
Flank \Flank\ (fl[a^][ng]k), n. [F. flanc, prob. fr. L. flaccus flabby, with n inserted. Cf. Flaccid, Flanch, Flange.]
The fleshy or muscular part of the side of an animal, between the ribs and the hip. See Illust. of Beef.
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(Mil.)
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The side of an army, or of any division of an army, as of a brigade, regiment, or battalion; the extreme right or left; as, to attack an enemy in flank is to attack him on the side.
When to right and left the front
Divided, and to either flank retired.
--Milton. (Fort.) That part of a bastion which reaches from the curtain to the face, and defends the curtain, the flank and face of the opposite bastion; any part of a work defending another by a fire along the outside of its parapet. See Illust. of Bastion.
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(Arch.) The side of any building.
--Brands.-
That part of the acting surface of a gear wheel tooth that lies within the pitch line.
Flank attack (Mil.), an attack upon the side of an army or body of troops, distinguished from one upon its front or rear.
Flank company (Mil.), a certain number of troops drawn up on the right or left of a battalion; usually grenadiers, light infantry, or riflemen.
Flank defense (Fort.), protection of a work against undue exposure to an enemy's direct fire, by means of the fire from other works, sweeping the ground in its front.
Flank en potence (Mil.), any part of the right or left wing formed at a projecting angle with the line.
Flank files, the first men on the right, and the last on the left, of a company, battalion, etc.
Flank march, a march made parallel or obliquely to an enemy's position, in order to turn it or to attack him on the flank.
Flank movement, a change of march by an army, or portion of one, in order to turn one or both wings of the enemy, or to take up a new position.
Flanks of a frontier, salient points in a national boundary, strengthened to protect the frontier against hostile incursion.
Flank patrol, detachments acting independently of the column of an army, but patrolling along its flanks, to secure it against surprise and to observe the movements of the enemy.
Usage examples of "flank attack".
These redcoats were fresh, posted to guard against a flank attack that had not happened, and now they found a helpless enemy under their muskets.
At once the French saw the opportunity for a flank attack, this time with artillery preparation.
Lee had wondered about that, especially since Gordon's flank attack on the Federal right, too weak, had begun too late.
The icon of the Second of the Five-Fifty-Fifth was nearly to the staging point behind Lake Jackson, but even a flank attack would hardly stop the Posleen at this point.
Now the rebels' flank attack advanced like a door swinging shut on John Pope's glory.
Back in the desperate fighting by the River of Death, Nahath's New Eboracers had fought back to back when the traitors tried a flank attack on Merkle's Hill that came much too close to working.
But now that we've proven to them that they can't just roll over us, they'll try a flank attack.
Bleed them dry, exhaust them-then hit them at dawn with a massive flank attack by Maurice and Kurush.
The heavy pistol balls smashed through the packed mass of raiders, driving in against the hard-pressed shield wall, and the tribesmen found themselves once again faced by a flank attack—.
If we could somehow get inside there, seize the old abbey above the town, and stage there, we could launch a flank attack in support of any forces coming from the south and clear out the invaders in a few days, rather than the weeks it's going to take.
But even though the breath was dashed from his body and the jar shook every bone in it, his fantastic mind still thought clearly, and he heard and felt the flank attack which he had led sweep cheering over him.