Noun: A player-character, typically in a MMORPG, that is able to occupy an agressor and take the brunt of the aggressor's attacks while the other players deal damage, heal, or perform some other action. The "tank" can survive longer while taking damage than the other characters. Typically, the tank has higher hitpoints (health) and a higher armor rating than the other characters. Less commonly, a character with a lower armor rating can perform the actions of the tank by using avoidance abilities. Ultimately, the tank needs to be able to occupy the agressor without dying. The method employed, whether avoidance or absorption, does not matter, as long as the tank can mitigate damage in some way.
Verb: To "tank", or "tanking", would be the action of performing the duties of the tank as described above.
1.N. That warrior is a good tank because he can take a lot of damage and he has a lot of hitpoints.
2.V. The warrior is tanking the mob right now.
3.V. Do you think you can tank this mob for us?
To deliberately lose a sporting event or contest, esp. with the intention of gaining some future advantage (such as a higher selection in an upcoming draft, etc.)
The NBA lottery was implemented in the 1980s so that non-contending teams would have less incentive to "tank" games at the end of the season in order to secure the top pick in the following summer's draft.
v. To persevere through a bad situation that would normally depress or discourage anyone else. Derived from the MMORPG term "tank" that refers to a character role that soaks damage but fails to die.
Man, three exams, senior project, and girlfriend issues? Henry really tanked through that one.
a person with tremendous size and looks like they could be classified as a motorized vehicle if they were walking; someone who looks heavy and eats a lot and has a general slow and large presence in rooms and audiences. generally associated with the warweapon and vehicle: tank.
i.e. “That kid Cal is such a tank”
I.e. “Number 38 on the other team is a tank, watch out.”
i.e. “ Why does Erik have to be such a tank?”