ankle

ankle

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Pronunciation

IPA Phonetic Spelling:

• /ˈæŋkəl/ (General American, Received Pronunciation)

• an - /ˈæŋ/ (as in "fang" or "sang")

• kle - /kəl/ (as in "pickle" or "buckle")

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Word Form Variations

Noun:

• Singular: ankle

• Plural: ankles

Verb: (less common, typically informal or specific contexts)

• Base form: ankle

• Third person singular present: ankles

• Present participle: ankling

• Past tense: ankled

• Past participle: ankled

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Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms

Noun

1. The joint connecting the foot with the leg.

• Synonyms: anklebone, tarsus (anatomical term), malleolus (anatomical term for bony protrusions)

• Antonyms: (None directly applicable as it's a specific body part)

2. The slender part of the leg just above the foot.

• Synonyms: lower leg, lower shin

• Antonyms: calf, thigh

Verb

1. To walk with the ankles prominent or with a characteristic movement of the ankles, often with a light or dainty step. (Informal or literary)

• Example: "She ankled gracefully across the dance floor."

• Synonyms: stroll, saunter, mince, tiptoe, prance

• Antonyms: stomp, trudge, drag, plod

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Examples of Use

• Books:

• "He had a bad habit of running, even when injured, which only served to aggravate his already swollen ankle." (Stephen King, Misery, 1987)

• Newspapers:

• "Star forward expected to miss several games after sustaining an ankle injury in Saturday's match." (The Times)

• Online Publications:

• "Tips for strengthening your ankle to prevent sprains and improve athletic performance." (Mayo Clinic Health System)

• Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:

• "My ankle is killing me after dancing all night in those high heels!" (Dialogue from a romantic comedy film, Sex and the City, 2008)

• "Check out this new exercise to build strong ankles for better balance!" (Fitness influencer on Instagram)

• "The character ankled away from the scene, trying to look nonchalant after his clumsy escape." (Review of a video game character's animation on a gaming blog)

• General Public Discourse:

• "I twisted my ankle playing basketball."

• "Make sure your socks cover your ankles when it's cold."

• "She wears a beautiful silver bracelet around her ankle."

• "The water was only up to my ankles."

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10 Quotes Using Ankle

1. "He had a bad habit of running, even when injured, which only served to aggravate his already swollen ankle." (Stephen King, Misery, 1987)

2. "The ankle bone's connected to the leg bone." (From the traditional spiritual/children's song "Dem Bones," 1928)

3. "My ankle is killing me after dancing all night in these heels!" (Common phrase from romantic comedies or general discourse)

4. "You step on my toes, I'll step on your ankle." (A common, slightly aggressive, idiomatic retort)

5. "The water was only up to my ankles, so I just waded through." (Common descriptive phrase indicating shallow depth)

6. "She wears a tiny tattoo on her ankle, a secret symbol." (Common descriptive element in character portrayal)

7. "He turned his ankle walking down the stairs, bringing an abrupt halt to his morning." (Common, relatable scenario)

8. "My doctor told me to elevate my ankle after the sprain." (Common medical advice)

9. "These shoes rub my ankle in the most annoying way." (Common complaint about footwear)

10. "Don't break your ankle trying to be a hero." (A common cautionary saying)

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 Etymology

The word "ankle" refers to a specific joint in the body, and its history ties back to the idea of bending or angles.

It comes from the Old English word "ancleow" or "ancle." Even in Old English, this word already meant the joint connecting the foot to the leg.

Tracing its roots further back, "ancleow" is believed to derive from the **Proto-Germanic word "ankuloz" or "ankulōn," which also referred to this joint.

Before that, it's thought to stem from a Proto-Indo-European root that meant "to bend" or "an angle." This makes sense, as the ankle is a crucial joint that allows the foot to bend and move at various angles. It's related to words like "angle" itself, and "anchor" (something that holds firmly, often at an angle).

So, the first known use of "ankle" in English (in its Old English forms) appeared in texts from around the 10th century or earlier. Its original meaning was consistent with its primary use today: the joint that connects the foot and the leg, or the slender part of the leg just above the foot. The word has remained remarkably stable in its fundamental meaning throughout its long history.

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Phrases + Idioms Containing Ankle

Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "ankle":

• Ankle-biter (a young child, usually humorous or slightly derogatory; also a small dog)

• Ankle-deep (only reaching to the ankles, typically of water or mud)

• Ankle socks (socks that come up only to the ankle)

• Break an ankle (to suffer a fracture in the ankle joint)

• Twist an ankle (to sprain or injure the ankle by turning it suddenly)

• Be up to one's ankles in (to be deeply involved in something, often undesirable, like mud or trouble)

• Cold feet, warm ankles (original, implying a contradiction between hesitation and readiness)

• Ankling around (original, used playfully to describe walking with a distinctive ankle movement)

• Show one's heels (using a synonym for similar effect, meaning to run away)

• Stiff upper lip, flexible ankle (original, playing on "stiff upper lip," suggesting physical agility with emotional stoicism)

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Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA

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Source Information

Definition of ankle from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.

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