ankle
noun (countable)
UK/ˈæŋ.kəl/US/ˈæŋ.kəl/
The joint connecting the foot with the leg; the part of the body between the leg and the foot.
Example Sentences
She twisted her ankle while running on the uneven trail.
The athlete wore a brace to support his injured ankle during the game.
After the fall, his ankle was swollen and painful.
Proper stretching can help prevent ankle injuries during physical activities.
He wrapped his ankle with an elastic bandage to reduce swelling.
The dance routine requires strong ankles to maintain balance and flexibility.
They performed an MRI to assess the extent of the ankle damage.
Wearing supportive shoes can alleviate strain on the ankles.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
verb (transitive)
UK/ˈæŋ.kəl/US/ˈæŋ.kəl/
To secure someone's ankles with restraints, especially handcuffs.
Example Sentences
The police officer ankleed the suspect to prevent him from escaping.
During the arrest, the officers ankleed the individual before transporting him to the station.
They were ankleed and placed in the back of the patrol car for questioning.
For safety reasons, the security guards ankleed the intruders before removing them from the premises.
He was ankleed at the entrance of the club for attempting to bring in contraband items.
The detainees were ankleed and led away by the officers.
In the simulation exercise, participants learned how to ankle individuals safely and effectively.
The thief was ankleed and taken into custody without incident.
Thesaurus
Synonyms
Antonyms
How to Use
The joint where the foot and leg meet, enabling motion and support.The “ankle” is the joint formed by the tibia (shinbone), fibula (the smaller bone parallel to the tibia), and the talus (the topmost foot bone). These bones, supported by ligaments and tendons, create a hinge-like mechanism allowing the foot to move up and down as well as slightly rotate. Daily activities—walking, running, and jumping—rely on this joint for balance and support.Whether you’re climbing stairs, jogging, or simply standing, your ankle bears a significant portion of your body weight. It also adjusts to uneven terrains by bending and flexing, helping maintain stability. Because the ankle experiences constant stress, injuries like sprains, strains, and fractures are common, especially among athletes and active individuals. Strengthening exercises, supportive footwear, and caution on slippery or uneven surfaces can lower the risk of ankle mishaps. Healthcare providers assess ankle stability by checking ligament health and strength, often using physical exams or imaging (like X-rays) to spot any damage. When the ankle is injured, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (the RICE protocol) can reduce pain and swelling, aiding in recovery. Physical therapy may follow to restore flexibility and strength. In short, the ankle’s intricate structure ensures mobility and balance, so treating it with care preserves your everyday freedom of movement.
Alternatives
If you want to talk about or around the concept of the ankle, you can use related anatomical terms or casual phrases. For instance, “foot joint” is a less technical expression, though it doesn’t specify which joint, as the foot has multiple articulations. “Lower leg joint” or “ankle region” may suit broader overviews discussing injuries or footwear design. In athletic or medical conversations, you might hear terms like “tibiotalar joint” (one of the main articulations in the ankle complex) or references to surrounding structures like the Achilles tendon and lateral ligaments.To stress aspects of support, words like “pivot,” “hinge,” or “foundation” can illustrate how the ankle sustains balance and facilitates movement. If referencing specific injuries, you might discuss “sprained ankle,” focusing on ligament damage, or “fractured ankle,” highlighting a bone break. In a casual or fashion context, “ankle area” might describe where a shoe or sock rests. Each choice depends on the formality or depth needed, ranging from a broad mention—like “I twisted my ankle”—to detailed orthopedic discussions of load-bearing capacities and joint mechanics.
Writing
When including “ankle” in descriptive or technical writing, clarity about the joint’s structure can be valuable. In a medical report, specifying whether the lateral or medial ligaments are affected pinpoints the exact location of an injury. In sports journalism, mentioning “a sprained right ankle in the second quarter” informs readers about a player’s status, while referencing the potential recovery timetable.If you’re crafting an educational piece, you might explain how the ankle’s range of motion contributes to everyday agility and how various sports place distinct stresses on this joint—like rapid directional changes in basketball or uneven terrain in trail running. Visual aids—diagrams or photos—often help readers see which bones and ligaments make up the ankle. In a narrative or creative work, “ankle” might convey vulnerability (someone stepping on a loose rock while hiking) or comedic effect (a clumsy mishap leading to a minor twisted ankle). You can also highlight sensations—a twinge of pain, a pop sound, or swelling. Such details immerse readers in the protagonist’s physical experience, revealing how the ankle can be pivotal even in the simplest actions.
Casual Conversation
In everyday chatter, folks say things like, “I rolled my ankle,” or “I twisted my ankle on the curb.” These offhand remarks convey minor mishaps, though they can be painful. You might also hear about style or comfort considerations: “These boots come up to my ankle,” or “Wearing high heels can really hurt your ankles by the end of the night.” Friends might compare stories of ankle issues, discussing how they sprained it playing sports or stepping awkwardly. Lighthearted banter could pop up too—like someone joking, “My ankles are killing me after that hike!” to describe mild fatigue. Casual usage usually focuses on daily experiences or short-term problems. If the injury is severe, conversation quickly becomes more serious, delving into doctors, physical therapy, or supportive braces.Sometimes people mention “ankle-biter” to playfully refer to small pets or young children who stay close by one’s feet. This colloquial expression evokes the image of something constantly at ankle level—often with comedic or affectionate connotations. Overall, in casual settings, discussions about ankles typically revolve around comfort, caution, or anecdotal evidence on how easily this joint can be strained during normal routines.
Etymology
The word “ankle” derives from Proto-Germanic roots—scholars connect it to forms like “ankila” or “ankylo,” indicating a joint or bend. Over time, as languages evolved across northern Europe, variants of “ankle” appeared in Old English (“ancleow”), morphing into Middle English forms (“ankle,” “ankyll”). These historical shifts reflect how ancient communities recognized the importance of this joint for standing and walking.In old anatomical or medical texts, the ankle region was occasionally referred to by broader references such as “the joint of the foot.” Yet the presence of a more precise term reveals humanity’s ongoing attempt to name and understand the body’s crucial articulations. Anchored by its Germanic heritage and shaped by centuries of usage, “ankle” has remained a concise term denoting that pivotal connection between foot and leg. Its role in mobility has made it a staple of daily vocabulary, continuing through modern medicine, sports, and casual speech.