n. A skein or coil of yarn or thread; more particularly, a definite length of yarn, thread, silk, or the like bound up in one or more skeins. A hank of cotton yarn is 840 yards; a hank of linen yarn is 3,000 yards.n. A string; a tie; a clasp; a hold; a collar, chain, ring, or other means of fastening.n. Specifically Nautical, a ring of wood or iron (formerly of rope) fastened round a fore-and-aft stay, and having the head of a jib or stay-sail seized to it. Iron hanks are used on wire stays, and wooden ones on rope stays.n. A withy or rope for fastening a gate.n. A handle.To fasten by means of a rope or cord: draw or compress tightly.[⟨ hank, n.] To form into hanks, as yarn.To hang.Same as hanker.n. A habit or practice.