Plank (?), n. [OE. planke, OF. planque, planche, F. planche, fr. L. planca; cf. Gr. , , anything flat and broad. Cf. Planch.]
1.
A broad piece of sawed timber, differing from a board only in being thicker. See Board.
2.
Fig.: That which supports or upholds, as a board does a swimmer.
His charity is a better plank than the faith of an intolerant and bitter-minded bigot.
Southey.
3.
One of the separate articles in a declaration of the principles of a party or cause; as, a plank in the national platform.
[Cant]
Plank road, ∨ Plank way, a road surface formed of planks. [U.S.] -- To walk the plank, to walk along a plank laid across the bulwark of a ship, until one overbalances it and falls into the sea; -- a method of disposing of captives practiced by pirates.
© Webster 1913.
Plank (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Planked (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Planking.]
1.
To cover or lay with planks; as, to plank a floor or a ship.
"
Planked with pine."
Dryden.
2.
To lay down, as on a plank or table; to stake or pay cash; as, to plank money in a wager.
[Colloq. U.S.]
3.
To harden, as hat bodies, by felting.
4. Wooden Manuf.
To splice together the ends of slivers of wool, for subsequent drawing.
Planked shad, shad split open, fastened to a plank, and roasted before a wood fire.
© Webster 1913.