skunk

[skuhngk]

noun

plural

skunks ,

plural

skunk .

1. 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.

2. any of several related or similar animals.

3. Informal.,  a thoroughly contemptible person.

4. U.S. Navy Slang.,  an unidentified ship or target.

verb (used with object)

1. 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 /

noun

1. 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

2. informal,  a despicable person

3. slang,  a strain of cannabis smoked for its exceptionally powerful psychoactive properties

verb

1. slang,  (tr) to defeat overwhelmingly in a game

Word History and Origins

Origin of skunk¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of skunk¹

C17: from Algonquian; compare Abnaki segākw skunk

Example Sentences

In California, skunks, raccoon and bats are more likely to carry the disease, which attacks the brain and spinal cord.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s a proud skunk owner from Atlanta, a pizza deliveryman from San Bernardino and a bill collector from Denver given a bum steer while tracing a debt.

From Los Angeles Times

Other mammal species that have since been infected include skunks, domestic cats, bottlenose dolphins, harbor seals, foxes, mountain lions and coyotes.

From Los Angeles Times

You couldn’t turn on your television without seeing this woman pop up somewhere, sporting a black-and-white skunk wig, preaching her freak-forward gospel.

From Salon

Since the beginning of the outbreak, California officials have found the virus in wild birds such as rock pigeons, white-faced ibis, and turkey vultures, as well as wild mammals including mountain lions, raccoons and skunks.

From Los Angeles Times