chank

verb \ ˈchaŋk , -ȯ- , -ä- \

Definition of chank

-ed/-ing/-s

dialectal

: chew noisily : champ

There's more!

Love words? You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
Advanced search features
Ad free!

Origin and Etymology of chank

probably alteration of ¹champ

chank

noun \ ˈchaŋk \

variants: or less commonly chank shell

Definition of chank

plural -s

: any of a family (Xancidae) of tropical heavy-shelled pear-shaped gastropod mollusks; especially : a species of the Indian Ocean (Turbinella pyrum synonym Xancus pyrum) commonly appearing in Hindu religious pictures and writings