tanky

English

Etymology

tank +‎ -y. The noun sense is from the fact that the assistant of the navigator of a ship was also in charge of the ship’s water tanks, and later its rations when refrigeration was introduced.[1]

Pronunciation

(Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /taŋki/
(General American) IPA^(key): /tæŋki/
Rhymes: -æŋki
Homophone: tankie

Adjective

tanky (comparative tankier, superlative tankiest)

(gaming) Able to withstand much damage, having a lot of hit points (that is, like a tank).

Noun

tanky (plural tankies)

(nautical, slang) A sailor who assists the navigator of the ship; a sailor in charge of the ship's hold, and thus responsible for the provision of rations and water.
Alternative form of tankie (“a soldier from a tank regiment; a member of the Communist Party of Great Britain”).

References

The Times Literary Supplement, London: Times Newspapers Ltd., 9 June 1945, page 271, column 3.

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