noun
haunch
Haunch (noun) means the hip, buttock and top of the thigh together, on one side of the body, especially in an animal that can sit back on its haunches.
noun
1
The hip, buttock and top of the thigh together, on one side of the body, especially in an animal that can sit back on its haunches.
"While Heracles, - the thews and cordage of his thighs Straitened and strained beyond the utmost stretch From quivering heel to haunch like sweating hawsers."
— Wilfred Owen, The Wrestlers (1916)
"The fog comes on little cat feet. It sits looking over harbor and city on silent haunches and then moves on."
— Carl Sandburg, Fog (1918)
2
The back leg and loin of an animal, especially when prepared as meat.
3
A short, thick, upright support used in building work.
4
A throw made with a quick, jerking motion from below.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like haunch.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Etymology
Traces back through Middle English haunche and hanche to Old French hanche, hance and 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"). It is cognate with Old High German ancha, encha and einka ("the leg; joint, bend") (compare Old High German anchila, enchila ("ankle"), German Hanke ("haunch") and West Frisian hancke ("haunch")). Related further to ankle.
Rhymes for haunch
See all rhymes for haunch →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of haunch?
"haunch" (noun) means the hip, buttock and top of the thigh together, on one side of the body, especially in an animal that can sit back on its haunches.
What are the different meanings of haunch?
"haunch" has 3 main meanings: 1. The hip, buttock and top of the thigh together, on one side of the body, especially in an animal that can sit back on its haunches; 2. The back leg and loin of an animal, especially when prepared as meat; 3. A short, thick, upright support used in building work.
