plæŋk n. & v. --n. 1 a long flat
piece of
timber used
esp. in
building,
flooring, etc. 2 an
item of a
political or
other programme (cf. PLATFORM). --v.tr. 1
provide,
cover, or
floor,
with planks. 2 (usu. foll. by down;
also absol.) esp. US colloq. a put (a
thing,
person, etc.) down
roughly or violently. b pay (money) on
the spot or abruptly (planked down ø5). øplank
bed a bed of boards
without a
mattress, esp. in
prison.
walk the plank
hist. (of a pirate's
captive etc.) be
made to walk
blindfold along a plank
over the
side of a
ship to one's
death in the
sea. [ME f. ONF planke, OF planche f. LL planca
board f. plancus flat-footed]