haunch

noun

No English definition recorded for this entry.

Wiktionary

Pronunciation: /hɔːn(t)ʃ/ / /hoːn(t)ʃ/ / /hɔn(t)ʃ/

noun

Etymology: From Middle English haunche, hanche, from Old French hanche, hance, anche (compare French hanche, Italian anca), from a Germanic source, probably Frankish *ankijā, from Proto-Germanic *ankijǭ (“joint; ankle”), from Proto-Indo-European *ang- (“joint; lith”). Cognate with Old High German ancha, encha, einka (“the leg; joint, bend”) (compare Old High German anchila, enchila (“ankle”), German Hanke (“haunch”), West Frisian hancke (“haunch”). More at ankle.

The area encompassing the upper thigh, hip and buttocks on one side of a human, primate, or quadruped animal, especially one that can sit on its hindquarters.
“But I had no time to pursue these reflections; for the gray horse came to the door, and made me a sign to follow him into the third room where I saw a very comely mare, together with a colt and foal, sitting on their haunches upon mats of straw, not unartfully made, and perfectly neat and clean.”
“And the rabbit from his path-way Leaped aside, and at a distance Sat erect upon his haunches.”
The loin and leg of a quadruped, especially when used as food.
“Now these are the Laws of the Jungle, and many and mighty are they; / But the head and the hoof of the Law and the haunch and the hump is—Obey!”
“On the rough-hewn oaken table the venison haunch was shared.”
A squat vertical support structure.
A jerked underhand throw.

verb

To provide with a haunch or supporting structure.
To throw with an underhand movement.