4. That part of the acting surface of a gear wheel tooth that lies
within the pitch line.
Flank attack (Mil.), an attack upon the side of an army or body of
troops, distinguished from one upon its front or rear. -- Flank company
(Mil.), a certain number of troops drawn up on the right or left of a
battalion; usually grenadiers, light infantry, or riflemen. -- Flank
defense (Fort.), protection of a work against undue exposure to an
enemy's direct fire, by means of the fire from other works, sweeping
the ground in its front. -- Flank en potence (Mil.), any part of the
right or left wing formed at a projecting angle with the line. -- Flank
files, the first men on the right, and the last on the left, of a
company, battalion, etc. -- Flank march, a march made parallel or
obliquely to an enemy's position, in order to turn it or to attack him
on the flank. -- Flank movement, a change of march by an army, or
portion of one, in order to turn one or both wings of the enemy, or to
take up a new position. -- Flanks of a frontier, salient points in a
national boundary, strengthened to protect the frontier against hostile
incursion. -- Flank patrol, detachments acting independently of the
column of an army, but patrolling along its flanks, to secure it
against surprise and to observe the movements of the enemy.
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Flank (flk), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Flanked (flkt); p. pr. & vb. n.
Flanking.] [Cf. F. flanquer. See Flank, n., and cf. Flanker, v. t.] 1.
To stand at the flank or side of; to border upon.
Stately colonnades are flanked with trees.
Pitt.
2. To overlook or command the flank of; to secure or guard the flank
of; to pass around or turn the flank of; to attack, or threaten to
attack; the flank of.
Flank, v. i. 1. To border; to touch. Bp. Butler.