Skunk Definition

skŭngk

skunks

noun

skunks

Any of several bushy-tailed carnivores (family Mustelidae) of the New World, about the size of a house cat: it has glossy black fur, usually with white stripes or spots down the back, and ejects a foul-smelling, musky liquid when disturbed or frightened.

Webster's New World

Its fur.

Webster's New World

A despicable, offensive person.

Webster's New World

Marijuana.

American Heritage

(slang) A walkover victory in sports or board games, as when the opposing side is unable to score. Compare shutout.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

verb

skunks

To spray with the foul-smelling liquid of a skunk.

The dog got skunked.

American Heritage

To defeat overwhelmingly in a game or contest; often, specif., to keep (an opponent) from scoring any points.

Webster's New World

To cause to have no success trying to catch fish. Used in the passive.

American Heritage

To cheat (someone).

American Heritage

To fail to pay (an amount due).

American Heritage

Synonyms:

Synonyms:
lurch

Other Word Forms of Skunk

Noun

Singular:

skunk

Plural:

skunks

Origin of Skunk

At first spelt squunck, from the Abenaki name for the animal, segôgw, segonku (“he who squirts / urinates”), from Proto-Algonquian *šeka·kwa, from *šek- (“to urinate”) (whence Abenaki seg-) + *(w)a·kw(ehsa) (“fox”) (whence Abenaki (w)ôkw(ses)).

From Wiktionary
Of Massachusett origin ultimately from Proto-Algonquian šeka·kwa šek- urine -a·kw fox, bushy-tailed animal

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
Blend of skinhead and punk, influenced by the animal (Etymology 1).

From Wiktionary