Where does “flankwise” come from?

flankwise (English) comes from English flank, from Middle English flanc, from Old English flanc, from Old French flanc, from Frankish hlanca, from Proto-Germanic hlankaz, from Proto-Indo-European kleng- — to turn, bend; to bend, turn, wind, twist.

flankwise (English): In terms of, or by means of, a flank

Definitions

  1. In terms of, or by means of, a flank

Ancestry of “flankwise”, step by step

flankwise traces back through two separate lines of ancestry.

via English flank

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishflankTo attack the flank of; To defend the flank of;...
2Middle Englishflanc
3Old Englishflancflank
4Old Frenchflancside; flank
5Frankishhlanca
6Proto-Germanichlankazflexible; bendsome; slim; slender; sleek
7Proto-Indo-Europeankleng-to turn, bend; to bend, turn, wind, twist

via English wise

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishwiseShowing good judgement or the benefit of...
2Middle Englishwyswise, thoughtful, proper; knowledgeable; alert,...
3Old Englishwīswise
4Proto-Germanicwīsazwise, knowledgeable
5Proto-Indo-Europeanweydstosknowledgeable
6Proto-Indo-Europeanweyd-to see
Every word from Proto-Indo-European kleng-