slink

American  

[slingk] / slɪŋk /

verb (used without object)

slunk, slank, slunk, slinking

1. to move or go in a furtive, abject manner, as from fear, cowardice, or shame.

   Synonyms:

   lurk, sneak, skulk

2. to walk or move in a slow, sinuous, provocative way.

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verb (used with object)

slunk, slank, slunk, slinking

1. (especially of cows) to bring forth (young) prematurely.

noun

1. a prematurely born calf or other animal.

adjective

1. born prematurely.

   a slink calf.

slink British  

/ slɪŋk /

verb

1. (intr) to move or act in a furtive or cringing manner from or as if from fear, guilt, etc

2. (intr) to move in a sinuous alluring manner

3. (tr) (of animals, esp cows) to give birth to prematurely

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noun

1. 1. an animal, esp a calf, born prematurely

   2. ( as modifier )

      slink veal

Other Word Forms

• outslink verb (used with object)
• slinkingly adverb
• unslinking adjective

Etymology

Origin of slink

First recorded before 1150; Middle English slynken (verb), Old English slincan “to creep, crawl”; cognate with Low German slinken, German schlinken

Example Sentences

It wasn't until he saw Tiamat slinking down the aisle that he realized what a major mistake it was to let his emotions get out of hand.

From Literature

My voice was soft but my tone harsh, and the boy slunk away as if he’d done something wrong.

From Literature

He was ready to run, but his mother curled a finger at him and he slunk over to her.

From Literature

The beast, meanwhile, decided that it had had enough of just watching the two of them and proceeded to ease itself through the hole and slink through onto the floor.

From Literature

Every now and then, he watched people pull into the gas station and slink back in the car for their drive of shame.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• lurk
• meander
• prowl
• sidle
• skitter
• skulk
• slither
• sneak
• undulate