dial. or colloq. [f. SPANK v.1]
1. A smart or sounding blow, esp. one given with the open hand; a slap or smack.
1785. Grose, Dict. Vulgar T., Spanks,… blows with the open hand.
1812. H. & J. Smith, Horace in Lond., 140. When ice encrusts the slippery bank, The tallest fall with heaviest spank.
1858. Hughes, Scouring White Horse, iv. 78. Said Joe, giving me a great spank on the back.
1889. Century Mag., March, 743/1. My mother … lifted me cleverly, planted two spanks behind, and passed me to the hands of Mme. Levicq.
b. The sharp noise or sound produced by this.
1833. M. Scott, Tom Cringle, xix. [The snake] let the smaller [tree] go with a loud spank that shook the dew off the neighbouring branches.
1860. O. W. Holmes, Prof. Breakf.-t., iii. 64. A clean, straight, hard hit which took effect with a spank like the explosion of a percussion cap.
† 2. Cant. (See SPANK v.1 2.) Obs.
