haunch

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noun \ ˈhȯnch , ˈhänch \

Definition of haunch

1 a :hip 1a

b :hindquarter 2 —usually used in plural

2 :hindquarter 1

3 :either side of an arch between the springing and the crown

— on one's haunches

:in a squatting position

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Recent Examples of haunch from the Web

This dart flies true, striking the matriarch of the herd in the haunches.

— david mckenzie, CNN, "The big move," 29 June 2017
My parents describe professors who were warm and friendly, who shared a haunch of venison or a string of trout (both terrifying to a South Indian woman who barely knew how to cook and had to mail order spices from New York).

— NBC News, "Road Trip Project Highlights South Asian American Travel Stories," 20 June 2017
There’s Leo the Lion, which kind of resembles the profile of a lion on its haunches but looks more like a backward question mark tipping over to the right.

— mike lynch / sky watch, Twin Cities, "Sky Watch: Summer solstice is near, and it’s all downhill from here," 17 June 2017
Mr. Rush gently dug his fingers into Luna’s haunches.

— andy newman, New York Times, "The Dog in the Dentist’s Chair, and Other Workplace Pets," 21 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'haunch.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of haunch

Middle English haunche, from Anglo-French hanche, haunche, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch hanke haunch

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First Known Use: 13th century

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HAUNCH Defined for English Language Learners

haunch

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noun

Definition of haunch for English Language Learners

: the upper part of a person's or animal's leg; especially : the upper part of an animal's rear leg used as meat

HAUNCH Defined for Kids

haunch

play

noun \ ˈhȯnch \

Definition of haunch for Students

1 :hindquarter

The dog sat on its haunches.

2 :the upper part of a person's thigh together with the back part of the hip

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Origin and Etymology of haunch

HAUNCH Defined for English Language Learners

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Definition of haunch for English Language Learners

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haunch

Definition of haunch for Students

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