SKULK

skulk

(verb) move stealthily; “The lonely man skulks down the main street all day”

malinger, skulk

(verb) avoid responsibilities and duties, e.g., by pretending to be ill

lurk, skulk

(verb) lie in wait, lie in ambush, behave in a sneaky and secretive manner

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

skulk (plural skulks)

A group of foxes.

(figuratively) A group of people seen as being fox-like (e.g. cunning, dishonest, or having nefarious plans).

The act of skulking.

A stealthy or furtive gait or way of moving.

(obsolete, chiefly, nautical, military) One who avoids an obligation or responsibility.

Synonyms: shirk, shirker, skulker.

Verb

skulk (third-person singular simple present skulks, present participle skulking, simple past and past participle skulked)

To stay where one cannot be seen, conceal oneself (often in a cowardly way or with the intent of doing harm).

Synonym: hide

To move in a stealthy or furtive way; to come or go while trying to avoid detection.

Synonyms: sneak, steal

To avoid an obligation or responsibility.

Synonym: shirk

Usage notes

Not to be confused with sulk.

Source: Wiktionary

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Skulk, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Skulked; p. pr. & vb. n. Skulking.] Etym: [Of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. skulke to spare or save one's self, to play the truant, Sw. skolka to be at leisure, to shirk, Icel. skolla. Cf. Scowl.]

Definition: To hide, or get out of the way, in a sneaking manner; to lie close, or to move in a furtive way; to lurk. "Want skulks in holes and crevices." W. C. Bryant. Discovered and defeated of your prey, You skulked behind the fence, and sneaked away. Dryden.

Skulk, n. Etym: [Cf. Icel. skollr, skolli, a fox, and E. skulk, v.i.]

Definition: A number of foxes together. Wright.

Skulk, Skulk"er, n.

Definition: One who, or that which, skulks.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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