haunch

Meaning

Noun

1. The area encompassing the upper thigh, hip and buttocks on one side of a human, primate, or quadruped animal, especially one that can sit on its hindquarters.
2. The loin and leg of a quadruped, especially when used as food.
3. A squat vertical support structure.
4. A jerked underhand throw.

Verb

1. To provide with a haunch or supporting structure.
2. To throw with an underhand movement.

Synonyms

hip

loins

thigh

loin

buttock

haunch of arch

rump

hips

lap

nates

quarter

small of the back

tail

waist

hance

hauncheon

one-half

butt-cheek

backside

butt cheek

botty

buttocks

cheek

gluteus

ham

hindquarters

Pronounced as (IPA)

/hɔːnt͡ʃ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: haunche

Cognate with French: hanche

Cognate with Italian: anca

Cognate with Old High German: ancha

Cognate with Old High German: anchila

Cognate with German: Hanke

Cognate with Western Frisian: hancke

In summary

From Middle English haunche, hanche, from Old French hanche, hance, anche (compare French hanche, Italian anca), from a Germanic source, probably Frankish *ankijā, from Proto-Germanic *ankijǭ (“joint; ankle”), from Proto-Indo-European *ang- (“joint; lith”). Cognate with Old High German ancha, encha, einka (“the leg; joint, bend”) (compare Old High German anchila, enchila (“ankle”), German Hanke (“haunch”), West Frisian hancke (“haunch”). More at ankle.