WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Plank
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [OE. planke, OF. planque, planche, F. planche, fr. L. planca; cf. Gr. Planch.]
Definition : 1. A broad piece of sawed timber, differing from a board only in being thicker. See Board.

2. Fig.: That which supports or upholds, as a board does a swimmer. His charity is a better plank than the faith of an intolerant and bitter-minded bigot. Southey.

3. One of the separate articles in a declaration of the principles of a party or cause; as, a plank in the national platform. [Cant] Plank road, or Plank way, a road surface formed of planks. [U.S.] -- To walk the plank, to walk along a plank laid across the bulwark of a ship, until one overbalances it and falls into the sea; -- a method of disposing of captives practiced by pirates.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913

Pronunciation : Plank
Part of Speech : v.
Definition : 1. To cover or lay with planks; as, to plank a floor or a ship. "Planked with pine." Dryden.

2. To lay down, as on a plank or table; to stake or pay cash; as, to plank money in a wager. [Colloq. U.S.]

3. To harden, as hat bodies, by felting.

4. (Wooden Manuf.)

Defn: To splice together the ends of slivers of wool, for subsequent drawing. Planked shad, shad split open, fastened to a plank, and roasted before a wood fire.

t. [imp. & p. p. Planked; p. pr. & vb. n. Planking.]
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913