yank

== English == === Etymology 1 === Attested since 1822; from Scots yank. Unknown origin. ==== Pronunciation ==== (without æ-raising) IPA(key): /ˈjæŋk/, [ˈjæŋk] (æ-raising) (US, Canada) IPA(key): /ˈjeɪ̯ŋk/, [ˈjeɪ̯ŋk]; /ˈjɛ̃ŋk/, [ˈjɛ̃ŋk] Rhymes: -æŋk Hyphenation: yank ==== Noun ==== yank (plural yanks) A sudden, vigorous pull (sometimes defined as mass times jerk, or rate of change of force). Synonyms: jerk, tug (slang) An act of masturbation. Synonyms: fap, wank; see also Thesaurus:masturbation (slang, MLE) Alternative form of shank (“stabbing weapon”). ===== Translations ===== ==== Verb ==== yank (third-person singular simple present yanks, present participle yanking, simple past and past participle yanked) (transitive) To pull (something) with a quick, strong action. Synonyms: jerk, tug (transitive, informal) To remove; to recall or revoke. Synonym: pull (ambitransitive, slang) To masturbate. Synonyms: see Thesaurus:masturbate ===== Derived terms ===== ===== Translations ===== ===== References ===== Douglas Harper (2001–2026), “yank”, in Online Etymology Dictionary. === Etymology 2 === ==== Noun ==== yank (plural yanks) (often derogatory) Alternative letter-case form of Yank (“Yankee”). == Scots == === Etymology === Unknown; likely imitative. Compare whang (“a blow”). === Noun === yank (plural yanks) a sudden tug, a jerk, a yank a blow, a slap === Verb === yank (third-person singular simple present yanks, present participle yankin, simple past and past participle yankt) to jerk, to pull suddenly to move quickly or in a lively manner