SHANK, or SHANK-PAINTER, in a ship, is a short chain fastened under the foremast shrouds, by a bolt, to the ship's sides, having at the other end a rope fastened to it. On this shank-painter the whole weight of the aft part of the anchor rests, when it lies by the ship's side. The rope by which it is hauled up, is made fast about a timber-head.