(n.; v.)

1. Any crude, sharp weapon created from otherwise non-imposing objects. Screwdrivers, socket wrenches and hammers are not considered "shanks" because (a) they are not homemade, (b) they are not "crude," improvised weapons, (c) tools are inherently dangerous to begin with, and (d) none of them, with the exception of the screwdriver, are sharp objects. Shanks are created by the desperate for the purpose of stabbing, not bludgeoning.

A true shank would be something like:
- A broken piece of glass with a wrapped towel for a handle.
- A broken piece of plexiglass. Prison lunch trays are made of plexiglass, so shattering one might yield a suitable shank.
- A sharpened piece of wood, usually whittled into a stake rather than a shank, but as it is used for stabbing it is considered a shank nonetheless.
- A sharpened piece of scrap metal. Can be pilfered from just about anywhere.

2. A shank is also the U-shaped part of a padlock, or any other narrow-but-essential part of an object.
1. "See this carrot? This carrot's raw. I'm gonna shank you, whiteboy."

2. "I can't lock this damn thing; I think the shank needs oiling."
by Siegfried Zaga May 24, 2005
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To violently stab someone with the intent of causing serious damage, commonly used when in the presence of a zombie
Jenni Mawson "I'm gonna shank ya"
by The Norton Lass February 9, 2015
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A word used by the gladers in the maze runner series. Equivalent to an insult.
Person A: Nice to meet you Shank welcome to the glade
by ThatOneFangirlMegan October 25, 2017
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To have a shit and a wank at the same time
mmmm I just had an amazing shank!! Multitasking is great.
by Gaylorrrrr May 5, 2011
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It’s when you stab someone hard with a piece of broken glass or wood
by Cheeto bot 123 November 27, 2019
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a pirate captain in the anime one piece also known as red hair shanks he is usually seen wearing a straw hat
'have you seen the bounty on red hair shanks'
by gomu gomu dickhead November 9, 2009
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To stab someone quickly and repeatedly in the side or lower back, usually with a shiv or, occasionally, a spork.
Dude, I totally just got shanked by that guy.
Your kidneys are bleeding. Did someone shank you?
It is impossible to shank The Unshankable Man.
by Heretic666 June 23, 2005
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