ankle

[ ang-kuhl ]

noun

1. (in humans) the joint between the foot and the leg, in which movement occurs in two planes.
2. the corresponding joint in a quadruped or bird; hock.
3. the slender part of the leg above the foot.

ankle

/ ˈæŋkəl /

noun

1. the joint connecting the leg and the foot See talus 1
2. the part of the leg just above the foot

Word History and Origins

Origin of ankle¹

First recorded before 1000; partly from Middle English ankel, enkel, ankyl, cognate with Middle Low German, Dutch enkel, Old Frisian ankel, Old High German anchal, enchil, Old Norse ǫkkul (from unrecorded ankula); partly from Middle English anclowe, oncleou, Old English anclēow, onclēow, cognate with Middle Low German anclef, Dutch anklāw, Old High German anchlāo; akin to Latin angulus “corner, angle,” Greek ankúlos “bent, crooked,” and ankṓn “bend of the arm, elbow”

Word History and Origins

Origin of ankle¹

C14: from Old Norse; related to German, Dutch enkel, Latin angulus angle ¹

Example Sentences

Aston Villa defender Lucy Parker is also absent for "several weeks" because of an ankle injury she picked up earlier this month.

From BBC

Cam Reddish, who had helped the Lakers go undefeated since his move to the starting five, also couldn’t play because of ankle and thumb injuries.

From Los Angeles Times

The next week, he started at left tackle because Alaric Jackson was serving the second game of a two-game suspension and Noteboom had suffered an ankle injury in the opener.

From Los Angeles Times

Williams had rushed for 456 yards and scored seven touchdowns in the first six games before suffering an ankle injury that sidelined him for four games.

From Los Angeles Times

Raducanu is completing her first season after eight months off tour to recover from hand and ankle operations.

From BBC

Related Words

• bone