a. Perverse; contentious; ugly; malicious. [ Colloq. ] -- Can*tan"ker*ous*ly, adv. -- Can*tan"ker*ous*ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

The cantankerous old maiden aunt. Thackeray. [ 1913 Webster ]

. a tank in which fermentations are carried out. [ PJC ]

n. A ship having large compartments, designed to transport crude oil over the ocean. [ PJC ]

(Metallurgy) A high and narrow tank, with a central cylinder for the introduction of compressed air, used in the agitation and settling of pulp (pulverized ore and water) during treatment by the cyanide process; -- so named because, though originally devised in New Zealand, it was first practically introduced in Pachuca, Mexico. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

a. [ OF. estanc, or It. stanco. See Stanch, a. ] Weak; worn out. [ Obs. ] Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ Cf. Sw. stånka to pant. √165. ] To sigh. [ Obs. or Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

imp. of Stink. Stunk. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OF. estang, F. étang, from L. stagnum a pool. Cf. Stagnate, Tank a cistern. ] 1. Water retained by an embankment; a pool of water. [ Prov. Eng. & Scot. ] Robert of Brunne. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A dam or mound to stop water. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Stank hen (Zool.), the moor hen; -- called also stankie. [ Prov. Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A small Indian dry measure, averaging 240 grains in weight; also, a Bombay weight of 72 grains, for pearls. Simmonds. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ Pg. tanque, L. stangum a pool; or perhaps of East Indian origin. Cf. Stank, n. ] 1. A large basin or cistern; an artificial receptacle for liquids. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A pond, pool, or small lake, natural or artificial. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

We stood in the afterglow on the bank of the tank and saw the ducks come home. F. Remington.

The tanks are full and the grass is high. Lawson. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

3. (Mil.) a heavily armored combat vehicle which moves on caterpillar treads, rather than wheels. It typically carries a cannon and a heavy machine, and sometimes other weapons. It is the main distinguishing weapon of an armored division. [ PJC ]

4. a jail cell for temporarily holding prisoners, as in a police station. [ PJC ]

Tank engine, a locomotive which carries the water and fuel it requires, thus dispensing with a tender. --
Tank iron, plate iron thinner than boiler plate, and thicker than sheet iron or stovepipe iron. --
Tank worm (Zool.), a small nematoid worm found in the water tanks of India, supposed by some to be the young of the Guinea worm. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Naut.) A kind of boat used in Canton. It is about 25 feet long and is often rowed by women. Called also tankia. S. W. Williams. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. The act or process of putting or storing in tanks. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

2. Fees charged for storage in tanks. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

3. The capacity or contents of a tank or tanks. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

4. (Agric.) Waste matter from tanks; esp., the dried nitrogenous residue from tanks in which fat has been rendered, used as a fertilizer. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

n. [ OF. tanquart; cf. OD. tanckaert; of uncertain origin. ] A large drinking vessel, especially one with a cover. [ 1913 Webster ]

Marius was the first who drank out of a silver tankard, after the manner of Bacchus. Arbuthnot. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. (Naut.) See Tanka. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A tinkling. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

n. a sleeveless and collarless shirt with wide shoulder straps and no front opening, often close-fitting and low-cut. [ PJC ]

{ }. (Naut.) A vessel fitted with tanks for the carrying of oil or other liquid in bulk; -- called also tanker. A tank ship of very large capacity is called a supertanker. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. +PJC ]

n. combat between tanks of opposing armies. [ PJC ]

n. [ Thermo- + ank. ] A tank containing pipes through which circulates steam, water, air, or the like, for heating or cooling; -- used in some heating and ventilation systems. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]