skulk
pronunciation
How to pronounce skulk in British English:
UK [skʌlk]
How to pronounce skulk in American English:
US [skʌlk]
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- Verb:
- lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner
- avoid responsibilities and duties, e.g., by pretending to be ill
- move stealthily
Word Origin
- skulk (v.)
- c. 1200, from a Scandinavian source such as Norwegian skulke "to shirk, malinger," Danish skulke "to spare oneself, shirk," Swedish skolka "to shirk, skulk, slink, play truant." Common in Middle English but lacking in 15c.-16c. records; possibly reborrowed 17c. Related: Skulked; skulking; skulker; skulkery.
Example
- 1. More often he 'd simply pace and finally skulk off to his tree stump , perhaps to worry alone .
- 2. The first japanese prime minister born since the war , mr abe has made it his mission to build what he calls a " beautiful japan " by persuading japanese that they need no longer skulk about in the shadows of wartime guilt .