hank

UK: /ˈhæŋk/ US: /hæŋk/ ,(hangk)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

hank /hæŋk/   n. [countable]

1. a coil, knot, or loop:
   a hank of hair.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

hank  (hangk), n. 

1. Textiles a skein, as of thread or yarn.
2. Textiles, Weights and Measures a definite length of thread or yarn:
   A hank of cotton yarn measures 840 yards.
3. a coil, knot, or loop:
   a hank of hair.
4. Nautical, Naval Terms a ring, link, or shackle for securing the luff of a staysail or jib to its stay or the luff or head of a gaff sail to the mast or gaff.

v.t. 

5. Nautical, Naval Terms to fasten (a sail) by means of hanks.

• Old Norse hǫnk hank, coil, skein, clasp; akin to hang
• Middle English 1175–1225

Hank  (hangk), n. 

1. a male given name, form of Henry. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

hank / hæŋk/ noun

1. a loop, coil, or skein, as of rope, wool, or yarn
2. a ringlike fitting that can be opened to admit a stay for attaching the luff of a sail
3. a unit of measurement of cloth, yarn, etc, such as a length of 840 yards (767 m) of cotton or 560 yards (512 m) of worsted yarn

Etymology: 13th Century: of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse hanka to coil, Swedish hank string