sheepshank noun & verb. ['ʃi:pʃaŋk] E17.
[formed as SHEEP'S HEAD + SHANK noun.]
A. noun.
1. Nautical. A knot used to shorten a rope's length temporarily without cutting it or unfastening the ends. E17.

2. The shank or leg of a sheep. rare. L17.

3. An unimportant person or thing. Usu. in neg. contexts. Scot. L18.
b. verb trans. Shorten (a rope's length) with a sheepshank. M18.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲