/tæŋk/
#1664 of 5,000 Core 5000
Translation
A heavy war vehicle with a gun that moves on metal tracks; also a big container for water, fuel or fish.
Word origin
The container sense came into English in the 17th century from India. The war vehicle took the name in 1915: the first ones were built in secret and called tanks so that people would think they were water containers.
- Origin
- Gujarati
- Root
- tankh
Other proposed origins
- Most accounts trace the word to Gujarati tankh, a pool or water store, picked up by traders in India. (Gujarati, tankh)
- Others derive it from Portuguese tanque, a pond, from estancar, to hold water back. (Portuguese, tanque)
Grammar
Gender
Pluraltanks
Examples
.
"Tank" here is a heavy war vehicle.
.
A "tank" can also be a large container for liquid.
.
A fish "tank" holds water so fish can live in it.
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Go to my review queueThis word is part of lesson 34.