lank

/ˈlaŋk/

Middle English, from Old English hlanc; akin to Old High German hlanca loin

adjective

  1. not well filled out : slender, thin

  2. insufficient in quantity, degree, or extent

  3. hanging straight and limp without spring or curl

lank cattle

lean spare lank lanky gaunt rawboned scrawny skinny mean thin because of an absence of excess flesh. lean stresses lack of fat and of curving contours. spare suggests leanness from abstemious living or constant exercise.