Definition of bank

< bank

bank >

bank²    (bngk) KEY 

NOUN:

1. 1. A business establishment in which money is kept for saving or commercial purposes or is invested, supplied for loans, or exchanged.
   2. The offices or building in which such an establishment is located.
2. Games
   1. The funds of a gambling establishment.
   2. The funds held by a dealer or banker in some gambling games.
   3. The reserve pieces, cards, chips, or play money in some games, such as poker, from which the players may draw.
3. 1. A supply or stock for future or emergency use: a grain bank.
   2. Medicine A supply of human tissues or other materials, such as blood, skin, or sperm, held in reserve for future use.
4. A place of safekeeping or storage: a computer's memory bank.
5. Obsolete A moneychanger's table or place of business.

VERB:
banked, bank·ing, banks
VERB:
tr.

To deposit in or as if in a bank.

VERB:
intr.

1. To transact business with a bank or maintain a bank account.
2. To operate a bank.

PHRASAL VERB:
bank on

To have confidence in; rely on.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English banke, from French banque, from Old Italian banca, bench, moneychanger's table, from Old High German banc