hock

noun \ ˈhäk \

Definition of hock

1 a : the tarsal joint or region in the hind limb of a digitigrade quadruped (such as the horse) corresponding to the human ankle but elevated and bending backward — see horse illustration

b : a joint of a fowl's leg that corresponds to the hock of a quadruped

2 : a small cut of meat from a front or hind leg just above the foot

ham hocks

Origin and Etymology of hock

Middle English hoch, hough, from Old English hōh heel; akin to Old Norse hāsin hock

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1540

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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Other Anatomy Terms

bilateral symmetry, carotid, cartilage, dorsal, entrails, prehensile, renal, solar plexus, supine, thoracic, ventral

hock

noun, often capitalized

Definition of hock

chiefly British

: rhine wine 1

Origin and Etymology of hock

modification of German Hochheimer, from Hochheim, Germany

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1625

in the meaning defined above

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Other Alcoholic Beverage Terms

finish, gimlet, mull, sake, setup, sommelier, syllabub, vintner, wassail

hock

verb

Definition of hock

transitive verb

: pawn

—

hocker

noun

Examples of hock in a Sentence

the prince had to hock the family jewels to pay his gambling debts

Origin and Etymology of hock

⁴hock

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1878

in the meaning defined above

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hock

noun

Definition of hock

1 a : ²pawn 2

got his watch out of hock

b : debt 3

in hock to the bank

2 : prison

Origin and Etymology of hock

Dutch hok pen, prison

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1883

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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hock

verb

Definition of hock

hocked; hocking

transitive verb

US, informal

: to forcefully spit out (something, such as phlegm)

hock a loogie

hock a wad of tobacco

Origin and Etymology of hock

variant of ³hawk

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1990

in the meaning defined above

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HOCK Defined for English Language Learners

hock

verb

Definition of hock for English Language Learners

: to give (something that you own) to a pawnbroker in exchange for money : to put (something) in hock

HOCK Defined for Kids

hock

noun \ ˈhäk \

Definition of hock for Students

1 : a small piece of meat from the leg of a pig

ham hocks

2 : the part of the rear leg of a four-footed animal that is like a human ankle

Medical Dictionary

hock

noun \ ˈhäk \

medical Definition of hock

: the joint or region of the joint that unites the tarsal bones in the hind limb of a digitigrade quadruped (as the horse) and that corresponds to the human ankle but is elevated and bends backward