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Rib vs Flank - What's the difference?

rib | flank |

In nautical terms the difference between rib and flank

is that rib is any of several curved members attached to a ship's keel and extending upward and outward to form the framework of the hull while flank is maximum (of speed). Historically faster than full speed (the most a vessel can sustain without excessive engine wear or risk of damage), now frequently used interchangeably. Typically used in an emergency or during an attack (All ahead flank!).

In transitive terms the difference between rib and flank

is that rib is to leave strips of undisturbed ground between the furrows in ploughing (land) while flank is to place to the side(s) of something.

As nouns the difference between rib and flank

is that rib is any of a series of long curved bones occurring in 12 pairs in humans and other animals and extending from the spine to or toward the sternum while flank is the flesh between the last rib and the hip; the side.

As verbs the difference between rib and flank

is that rib is to shape, support, or provide something with a rib or ribs while flank is to attack the flank(s) of something.

As an adjective flank is

maximum (of speed). Historically faster than full speed (the most a vessel can sustain without excessive engine wear or risk of damage), now frequently used interchangeably. Typically used in an emergency or during an attack (All ahead flank!).

rib

English

Noun

(en noun)
  • Any of a series of long curved bones occurring in 12 pairs in humans and other animals and extending from the spine to or toward the sternum
  • A part or piece, similar to a rib, and serving to shape or support something
  • A cut of meat enclosing one or more rib bones
  • (label) Any of several curved members attached to a ship's keel and extending upward and outward to form the framework of the hull
  • Any of several transverse pieces that provide an aircraft wing with shape and strength
  • (label) A long, narrow, usually arched member projecting from the surface of a structure, especially such a member separating the webs of a vault
  • (label) A raised ridge in knitted material or in cloth
  • (label) The main, or any of the prominent veins of a leaf
  • A teasing joke
  • A single strand of hair.
  • A stalk of celery.

    • Verb

  • To shape, support, or provide something with a rib or ribs
  • To tease or make fun of someone
  • To enclose, as if with ribs, and protect; to shut in.
  • * Shakespeare
  • (label) To leave strips of undisturbed ground between the furrows in ploughing (land).

    • Derived terms

    {{der3, chuck rib , middle rib , ribcage , rib eye , ribgrass , rib-tickler , ribwort , spare rib , ribbed vault , grey rib}}

    Anagrams

    * * * ----

    flank

    English

    Adjective

    (-)
  • (nautical) Maximum (of speed). Historically faster than full'' speed (the most a vessel can sustain without excessive engine wear or risk of damage), now frequently used interchangeably. Typically used in an emergency or during an attack (''All ahead flank! ).

    • Noun

    (en noun)
  • (anatomy) The flesh between the last rib and the hip; the side.
  • (cooking) A cut of meat from the flank of an animal.
  • (military) The extreme left or right edge of a military formation, army etc.
  • The side of something, in general senses.
  • * 1918 , (Edgar Rice Burroughs), Chapter VIII
    • Cautiously I approached the flank of the cliffs, where they terminated in an abrupt escarpment as though some all powerful hand had broken off a great section of rock and set it upon the surface of the earth.
  • The outermost strip of a road.
  • (soccer) The wing, one side of the pitch.
  • * {{quote-news
    • , year=2011 , date=January 23 , author=Alistair Magowan , title=Blackburn 2 - 0 West Brom , work=BBC citation , page= , passage=The hosts also had Paul Robinson to thank for a string of saves, three of them coming against Jerome Thomas, who gave Michel Salgado a torrid time down the left flank .}}
  • That part of the acting surface of a gear wheel tooth that lies within the pitch line.

    • Synonyms

    * (all senses) side * (side of formation) wing

    Derived terms

    * (flesh between the last rib and the hip) flank steak

    Coordinate terms

    * (cut of meat from the flank of an animal) fajita

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To attack the flank(s) of something.
  • To defend the flank(s) of something.
  • To place to the side(s) of something.
  • * Pitt
    • Stately colonnades are flanked with trees.
  • To be placed to the side(s) of something (usually in terms of two objects, one on each side.)