skulk´er

skulk´er
skulk «skuhlk», verb, noun.
–v.i.
1. to keep out of sight to avoid danger, work, or duty; hide for a bad purpose; lurk in a cowardly way; sneak: »

On Saturdays several boys could be seen skulking about behind the garage avoiding their chores.

SYNONYM(S): See syn. under lurk. (Cf.lurk)
2. to move in a stealthy, sneaking way: »

The wolf was skulking near the sheep. It is a poor thing for a fellow to get drunk at night and skulk to bed (Samuel Johnson).

–n.
1. a person who skulks: »

You are certainly no skulk when duty is to be done (James Fenimore Cooper).

2. a) a group or collection of animals which skulk: »

We say a flight of doves…a skulk of foxes (Washington Irving).

b) a group of other animals or persons: »

a skulk of thieves.

[< Scandinavian (compare Danish skulke)]
skulk´er, noun.
skulk´ing|ly, adverb.

Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Skulk — Skulk, n. [Cf. Icel. skollr, skolli, a fox, and E. skulk, v.i.] A number of foxes together. Wright. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Skulk — Skulk, Skulker Skulk er, n. One who, or that which, skulks. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • skulk — [skulk] vi. [ME sculken, prob. < LowG schulken, to play truant, or Dan skulke, to skulk] 1. to move or lurk about in a stealthy, craven, or sinister manner; slink 2. Chiefly Brit. to avoid work or responsibility; shirk; malinger n. 1. a person …   English World dictionary

  • Skulk — Skulk, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Skulked}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Skulking}.] [Of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. skulke to spare or save one s self, to play the truant, Sw. skolka to be at leisure, to shirk, Icel. skolla. Cf. {Scowl}.] To hide, or get out of the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • skulk — [skʌlk] v [I always + adverb/preposition] [Date: 1100 1200; Origin: From a Scandinavian language] to hide or move about secretly, trying not to be noticed, especially when you are intending to do something bad = ↑lurk skulk about/around/in etc ▪… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • skulk — skulk·er; skulk; …   English syllables

  • skulk — index lurk, prowl Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • skulk — [ skʌlk ] verb intransitive to move around or wait somewhere in a secret way, especially because you are going to do something bad: Why is he skulking around in the bushes? …   Usage of the words and phrases in modern English

  • skulk — early 13c., from a Scandinavian source, Cf. Norw. skulke to shirk, malinger, Dan. skulke to spare oneself, shirk. Common in M.E. but lacking in 15c. 16c. records; possibly reborrowed 17c …   Etymology dictionary

  • skulk — *lurk, couch, slink, sneak Analogous words: secrete, *hide, conceal Contrasted words: emerge, *appear, loom …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

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