Hank Meaning
/ˈhæŋk/Definition, CEFR level C2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
Listen pronunciation
Definition
nounA coil or loop of something, especially twine, yarn, or rope.
nameA diminutive of the male given name Henry.
Sentence Examples
Bob and Hank are duking it out in the alley behind the bar.
CEFR Practice Quiz
She bought a ____ of yarn to knit a warm scarf.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The weaver grabbed a ____ of dyed wool to begin working on the colorful pattern of the rug.
Word Origin & History
From Middle English hank, of Scandinavian/North Germanic origin; akin to Old Norse hǫnk (compare haki (“something bent”)), related to Proto-Germanic *hakô (“hook”). Akin to Old English hangian (“to hang”). First known use: 14th century.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Cotton twist is spun here of 130 hanks to the pound. Each hank is 840 yards long […]"
— 1796, Thomas Pennant, “History of Holywell Parish,”, in The History of the Parishes of Whiteford, and Holywell, London: B. and J. White, page 217:
"[…] her hair was as straight as a hank of cotton."
— 1859, George Eliot, chapter 9, in Adam Bede, volume 1, Edinburgh: William Blackwood, page 181:
"The past year or two had brought knitting-needles into countenance for men, and he saw no reason why he should not put a few hanks of yarn into shape useful for himself."
— 1919, Henry Blake Fuller, chapter 14, in Bertram Cope’s Year, Chicago: R.F. Seymour, page 131:
"He found a hank of clothesline on a counter."
— 1957, Nevil Shute, chapter 9, in On the Beach, New York: William Morrow:
"Seldom doth a man fall into a Preſumptuous Sin, but vvhere the Devil hath got ſuch a hanke over him, […]"
— 1636 July (date delivered), Robert Sanderson, “[Ad Aulam.] Sermon IV. Beuvoyr, July 1636”, in XXXIV Sermons. […], 5th edition, London: […] [A. Clark] for A. Seil, and are to be sold by G. Sawbridge, […], published 1671, →OCLC, paragraph 43, page 59:
Explore More C2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
She bought a ____ of yarn to knit a warm scarf.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The weaver grabbed a ____ of dyed wool to begin working on the colorful pattern of the rug.