lank
UK[læŋk]US[læŋk]
adj
(of hair) long, limp, and straight
adj
(of a person) tall and thin in an ungraceful way
Etymology
The word 'lank' originates from the Old English 'hlanc', which meant loose, slack, or empty. This term is believed to be of Proto-Germanic origin, related to the idea of being flexible or yielding. The semantic journey saw it evolve from describing general slackness to specifically characterizing long, limp, and unattached hair, and later extending to describe a tall, thin, and often drooping physique. Its modern senses retain the core concept of lacking firmness, fullness, or graceful compactness.
Analysis
The word 'lank' is a simplex word of Old English origin. It is not productively formed from smaller, independent morphemes in Modern English.
Examples
Her lank hair fell over her shoulders without any curl or volume.
He was a lank youth, all arms and legs.
The plant's stems grew long and lank in the dim light.