Hank Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐งถ
hank
[hรฆลk ]
Definitions
name, informal
Hank is often used as a diminutive of the name Henry. It can also refer to a friendly and informal way to address someone.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Hey, Hank, how have you been?
- I met a guy named Hank at the party last night.
- Hank always knows how to make me laugh.
object, coil
A hank is a unit of measure for yarn or thread, often referring to a length of yarn that is loosely coiled or wound.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- I bought a hank of yarn for my knitting project.
- She twisted the hank of thread to prevent tangling.
- The fabric store sells hanks of different colors.
to seize
To hank means to seize, pull, or hold onto something. It is less commonly used and often found in specific dialects.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- He hanked the rope tightly to secure the boat.
- I had to hank on to those papers in the wind.
- She hanks down the curtain to secure it.
Translations
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Origin of 'hank'
The name 'Hank' as a diminutive form of 'Henry' can be traced back to Middle Ages, where 'Henry' was a popular given name derived from the Germanic name 'Heimirich,' meaning 'home ruler.' The transformation of 'Henry' to 'Hank' followed a common trend of shortening longer names for comfort and familiarity. The use of 'Hank' in this capacity became widespread in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United States. Meanwhile, the word 'hank' referring to a coil of yarn comes from Middle English 'hanche,' meaning 'a length of something,' which itself evolved from Old Norse. As the textile industry grew, this term became more prominent to describe the standard measure of yarn, making 'hank' common in crafting communities.