skulk

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A group of foxes.

   • A skulk of foxes, a cowardice of curs are tonight’s traffic whispering in the yards and lanes.
   • A skulk of fox padded daintily over a stream-slashed meadow, and a herd of deer like iron ornaments stood stock still in their winter pelage.
   • A group of foxes is called a skulk.
2. 2

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

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

   • […] a skulk of priests flapped out of the Church of San Geronimo, and women kneeling at novena put away their beads […]
   • The law was served by a skulk of informers, who traded their whispers to the royal foresters and woodwards, who gilded their tales for the verderers and regarders, who presented the guilty to the forest Justices.
   • […] they went on, down the road, staggering, and shouldering each other, like a skulk of Jacobean villains.
3. 3

   The act of skulking.

   • A part of their company, who had been sent out on a skulk, had not returned, and great anxiety was felt lest they had fallen into an ambush and been captured.
   • There was only the danger that his horse might lame himself in the night; but then he could go back in the hills and make a skulk on foot.
   • Willie knew that the time was propitious for a skulk across Hall, thence into the class-room of Mr. Beach.
4. ›+ 4 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      One who avoids an obligation or responsibility.

      • .
      • "I shall do my duty, Mr. Jackson," replied Newton, "and fear no consequences." / "Indeed! you saw how I settled a skulk just now;—beware of his fate!"
      • Toward evening there was something to be done on deck, and the carpenter who belonged to the watch was missing. “Where’s that skulk, Chips?” shouted Jermin down the forecastle scuttle.
   2. 5

      To stay where one cannot be seen, conceal oneself (often in a cowardly way or with the…

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

      • Discover’d and defeated of your Prey, You sculk’d behind the Fence, and sneak’d away.
      • […] vice skulks, with all its native deformity, from close investigation;
   3. 6

      To move in a stealthy or furtive way

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

      • The residue like vnto the bare arssed rebels sculked to and fro; but in the end, they and the others were all dispersed, & durst not to appeare.
      • He has been seen with her, by one whom he would not know, at Cuper’s Gardens; dressed like a Sea-officer, and skulking, like a thief, into the privatest walks of the place.
      • Noble brother, I am Not one of those men who in words are valiant, And when it comes to action skulk away.
   4. 7

      To avoid an obligation or responsibility.

      • Let discipline employ her wholesome arts, Let magistrates alert perform their parts, Not skulk or put on a prudential mask, As if their duty were a desp’rate task;
      • They are paid about three shillings a day for ten hours’ work—it is hard work, especially in windy weather, and there is no skulking, for an inspector comes round frequently to see that the men are on their beats.

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