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flanc

flank

noun FLAHN Rare
Body & Health Body Parts

Origin: Frankish 'hlanca' (hip, loin)

Also means

hillside

Usage Note

Flanc refers to the side of a body (human or animal), the side of a hill or mountain, or a military flank. The final 'c' is silent. The idiom prêter le flanc à means 'to lay oneself open to' criticism or attack. The related verb flanquer means both to flank (to be on the side of) and colloquially to throw or chuck something.

Examples

"Il grimpa le flanc de la montagne."

Natural Translation

He climbed the flank of the mountain.

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