conk

[ kongk, kawngk ]

See synonyms for conk on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)

to hit or strike on the head.

noun

a blow on the head.
the head.

British. the nose.

Origin of conk

First recorded in 1805–15; of obscure origin

Other definitions for conk (2 of 4)

conk²

[ kongk, kawngk ]

verb (used without object)Slang.

to break or fail, as a machine or engine (often followed by out): The engine conked out halfway there.
to slow down or stop; lose energy (often followed by out).

to go to sleep (usually followed by off or out).
to lose consciousness; faint (usually followed by out).
to die (usually followed by out).

Origin of conk

First recorded in 1915–20; perhaps imitative of the sound

Other definitions for conk (3 of 4)

conk³

[ kongk, kawngk ]

nounMycology.

the shelflike fruiting body of certain wood-decaying fungi; bracket fungus

Origin of conk

An Americanism dating back to 1850–55; of obscure origin

Other words from conk

conky, adjective

Other definitions for conk (4 of 4)

conk⁴

[ kongk, kawngk ]

noun

a method of chemically straightening the hair.
a hairstyle in which the hair has been chemically straightened and sometimes set into waves.

verb (used with object)

to straighten (kinky hair) by the use of chemicals: to have one's hair conked.

Origin of conk

⁴

First recorded in 1940–45; probably shortening and alteration of congolene, alleged to be the name of a hair straightener made from Congo copal

Also process .

British Dictionary definitions for conk

conk

/ (kɒŋk) slang /

verb

to strike (someone) a blow, esp on the head or nose

noun

a punch or blow, esp on the head or nose
the head or (esp Brit and NZ) the nose

Origin of conk

C19: probably changed from conch

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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