shank

1. The part of the leg between the knee and the ankle. · Edward I of England was nicknamed Edward Longshanks.
2. Meat from that part of an animal.
3. A redshank or greenshank, various species of Old World wading birds in the genus Tringa having distinctly colored legs. (colloquial)
4. A straight, narrow part of an object, such as a key or an anchor; shaft; stem.
5. The handle of a pair of shears, connecting the ride to the neck.
6. The center part of a fishhook between the eye and the hook, the 'hook' being the curved part that bends toward the point.
7. A protruding part of an object, by which it is or can be attached. · This twist drill has a reduced shank so that it can be used even in a small chuck.
8. The metal part on a curb bit that falls below the mouthpiece, which length controls the severity of the leverage action of the bit, and to which the reins of the bridle are attached.

Plural shanks