gank

American  

[gangk] / gæŋk /

verb (used with object)

Slang.

1. to rob or mug (a person).

2. to steal or seize (something of value).

3. (in a video game) to kill (a character), especially an outnumbered, weaker, or lower level player character.

   I got ganked in the jungle—never saw it coming.

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noun

Slang.

1. (in a video game) the killing of one character by another, especially when the killer character has a powerful or unfair advantage over the victim.

   Early ganks aren’t very effective, so you should save those attacks for later.

Etymology

Origin of gank

First recorded in 1985–90; in 2000–05 gank for defs. 3, 4; from African American Vernacular English; further origin uncertain

Example Sentences

Like if a big guy says he’s good at video games, even though you know you’d gank him, you just keep your mouth shut.

From "Everything Sad Is Untrue" by Daniel Nayeri