Meaning of hock in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Verb
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Etymology
    2. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /hɑk/

    US accent Play button

    UK accent Play button

  1. Verb

    hock

    Etymology

    mid 19th century (in the phrase in hock): from Dutch hok‘hutch, prison, debt’

    Definitions

    1. leave as a guarantee in return for money

    Examples

    • « pawn your grandfather's gold watch »

    Derived terms

  2. 2. disable by cutting the hock

  3. Noun

    hock

    Etymology

    late Middle English: variant of hough

    Definitions

    1. any of several white wines from the Rhine River valley in Germany (`hock' is British usage)
  4. 2. tarsal joint of the hind leg of hoofed mammals

    Examples

    • « corresponds to the human ankle »

    Derived terms

Famous quotes

  • « No enterprise, small or large, public or private, can remain self-governing, let alone successful, so deeply in hock to others as we are about to be. »
    Mitch Daniels

Browse dictionary