yank

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun an American who lives in the North (especially during the American Civil War)
  2. noun an American (especially to non-Americans)
  3. verb pull, or move with a sudden movement

Etymology

Attested since 1822; from Scots yank. Unknown origin.

In classic literature

Synonyms

Yankee, Northerner

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