funk
1[ fuhngk ]
/ fʌŋk /
noun
cowering fear; state of great fright or terror.
a dejected mood: He's been in a funk ever since she walked out on him.
verb (used with object)
to be afraid of.
to frighten.
to shrink from; try to shirk.
verb (used without object)
to shrink or quail in fear.
Nearby words
funiculitis, funiculopexy, funiculus, funiform, funis, funk, funk hole, funked, funkia, funkster, funky
Origin of funk
11735–45; perhaps < early Dutch dialect fonck
Related forms
funk·er, nounDefinition for funk (2 of 3)
funk
2[ fuhngk ]
/ fʌŋk /
noun
Origin of funk
21615–25; perhaps < North French dialect funquier, funquer give off smoke, Old North French fungier < Vulgar Latin fūmicāre, alteration of Latin fūmigāre; see fumigate
Definition for funk (3 of 3)
Funk
[ foo ngk, fuhngk ]
/ fʊŋk, fʌŋk /
noun
Cas·i·mir [kaz-uh-meer] /ˈkæz əˌmɪər/, 1884–1967, U.S. biochemist, born in Poland: discovered thiamine, the first vitamin isolated.
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for funk
British Dictionary definitions for funk (1 of 4)
funk
1/ (fʌŋk) informal, mainly British /
noun
Also called: blue funk a state of nervousness, fear, or depression (esp in the phrase in a funk)
a coward
verb
to flinch from (responsibility) through fear
(tr; usually passive) to make afraid
Derived Forms
funker, nounWord Origin for funk
C18: university slang, perhaps related to funk ²
British Dictionary definitions for funk (2 of 4)
funk
2/ (fʌŋk) /
noun
US slang a strong foul odour
Word Origin for funk
C17 (in the sense: tobacco smoke): from funk (vb) to smoke (tobacco), probably of French dialect origin; compare Old French funkier to smoke, from Latin fūmigāre
British Dictionary definitions for funk (3 of 4)
funk
3/ (fʌŋk) /
noun
informal a type of polyrhythmic Black dance music with heavy syncopation
Word Origin for funk
C20: back formation from funky 1
British Dictionary definitions for funk (4 of 4)
Funk
/ (fʌŋk) /
noun
Casimir (ˈkæzɪˌmɪə). 1884–1967, US biochemist, born in Poland: studied and named vitamins
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Medicine definitions for funk
Funk
[ fŭngk, fōōngk ]
Polish-born American biochemist whose research of deficiency diseases led to the discovery of vitamins, which he named in 1912.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Science definitions for funk
Funk
[ fŭngk, fōōngk ]
Polish-born American biochemist who is credited with the discovery of vitamins. In 1912 he postulated the existence of four organic bases he called vitamines which were necessary for normal health and the prevention of deficiency diseases. He also contributed to the knowledge of the hormones of the pituitary gland and the sex glands.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.