skulk
or sculk
[skuhlk]
verb (used without object)
to lie or keep in hiding, as for some evil reason: The thief skulked in the shadows.
to move in a stealthy manner; slink: The panther skulked through the bush.
British. to shirk duty; malinger.
noun
a person who skulks.
a pack or group of foxes.
Rare. an act or instance of skulking.
RELATED WORDS
slink, crouch, prowl, snoop, dodge, pussyfoot, hide, slack, avoid, sidestep, sneak, evade, elude, snake, bypass, steal, creep
Origin of skulk
1175–1225; Middle English < Scandinavian (not in ON); compare Danish, Norwegian skulke, Swedish skolka play hooky
Synonyms for skulk
1. See lurk.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for skulk
Contemporary Examples of skulk
This is not a time to manipulate or skulk into situations sideways, attempting to give a false impression of nonchalance.
Historical Examples of skulk
He does not shuffle or prevaricate, dodge or skulk; but is honest, upright, and straightforward.
Self-HelpSamuel Smiles
He didn't mean to skulk like a whipped cur about his own decks.
The RescueJoseph Conrad
Instead, he must skulk in the thicket like a coyote until the man passed.
Prairie FlowersJames B. Hendryx
Sit there and skulk, while the others do the work, would you?
Cutlass and CudgelGeorge Manville Fenn
I suppose you thought that, being off duty, you could skulk in your cabin and do nothing.
Under the Chilian FlagHarry Collingwood
skulk
verb (intr)
noun
Word Origin for skulk
C13: of Scandinavian origin; compare Norwegian skulka to lurk, Swedish skolka, Danish skulke to shirk
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
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper