spank
noun
- in tennis
verb
- spank
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈspæŋk/ / [ˈspæŋk] / /ˈspeɪ̯ŋk/
noun
Etymology: Uncertain. Likely of Dutch or Low German origin. Compare North Frisian spanke (“to step with pride”), Saterland Frisian spankje (“to splash”), dialectal Dutch spanken (“to limp, hobble”), Dutch spankeren (“to run away quickly, gallop off”), German Low German spenkern (“to burst, explode, shatter, splash, spray”), Danish spanke (“to strut”), Swedish spånka (“to strut proudly”); originally, equivalent to span + -k. Compare also dialectal English spang (“to leap, bound; shoot out, fling”).
- A leap or bound.
verb
Etymology: Uncertain. Likely of Dutch or Low German origin. Compare North Frisian spanke (“to step with pride”), Saterland Frisian spankje (“to splash”), dialectal Dutch spanken (“to limp, hobble”), Dutch spankeren (“to run away quickly, gallop off”), German Low German spenkern (“to burst, explode, shatter, splash, spray”), Danish spanke (“to strut”), Swedish spånka (“to strut proudly”); originally, equivalent to span + -k. Compare also dialectal English spang (“to leap, bound; shoot out, fling”).
- To move quickly and nimbly on foot; to stride or run at a brisk pace.
- To move or turn rapidly, as the gears of a machine or the sails of a ship.
“The ship was really spanking along.”
- To shoot out or throw violently; to hurl or knock out.