View synonyms for skunk

skunk

[ skuhngk ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural skunks, (especially collectively) skunk.

a small North American mammal, Mephitis mephitis, of the weasel family, having a black coat with a white, V -shaped stripe on the back, and ejecting a fetid odor when alarmed or attacked.
any of several related or similar animals. Compare hog-nosed skunk, spotted skunk.
Informal. a thoroughly contemptible person.
U.S. Navy Slang. an unidentified ship or target.

Slang. to defeat thoroughly in a game, especially while keeping an opponent from scoring:
The team skunked the favorites in the crucial game.

skunk

/ skʌŋk /

any of various American musteline mammals of the subfamily Mephitinae, esp Mephitis mephitis ( striped skunk ), typically having a black and white coat and bushy tail: they eject an unpleasant-smelling fluid from the anal gland when attacked
informal.
a despicable person
slang.
a strain of cannabis smoked for its exceptionally powerful psychoactive properties

Origin of skunk¹

1625–35, Americanism; < the Massachusett reflex of Proto-Algonquian *šeka·kwa (derivative of *šek- urinate + -a·kw fox, foxlike animal

Origin of skunk¹

C17: from Algonquian; compare Abnaki segākw skunk

The army met the stone-throwing with a fecal-smelling concoction called "skunk" and later with tear gas.

So how did this proverbial skunk at the garden party obtain his tickets to the events?

Sheppy had been having an argument with a skunk and there was strong reason—very strong—to suppose that he got the worst of it.

She saw the natural skunk coat she had been planning to give to poor dear Caroline for Christmas.

A fine male antelope was shot by Lieut. Swift, and a skunk was also the game of the day.

"A particular —— skunk," added another in sepulchral accents.

Ef it's that skunk, I'll spot him soon enough and let you know whar he's hiding.

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