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.
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
Related Words for skulked
slink, crouch, prowl, snoop, dodge, pussyfoot, hide, slack, avoid, sidestep, sneak, evade, elude, snake, bypass, steal, creepExamples from the Web for skulked
Contemporary Examples of skulked
While we skulked in the shadows, they had studied and sweated and changed the face of their world.
Historical Examples of skulked
The Kaffir did not condescend to make answer, but skulked into the hut.
The Giraffe HuntersMayne Reid
And so she got away, and skulked slowly up stairs to her own room.
Orley FarmAnthony Trollope
It had long since skulked off, but no one thought of pursuit, as all were too anxious about Jan.
The Bush BoysCaptain Mayne Reid
They have skulked out, like traitors as they be, knowing our absence at the feast.
I skulked in the scrub as he came up—just behind a clump of wattle.
Colonial BornG. Firth Scott
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
skulk
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper