skulk

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English sculke, skulke, skulken, of North Germanic origin; compare Danish skulke (“shirk”), Swedish skolka (“play truant”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /skʌlk/ (Northern England) IPA(key): /skʊlk/ Rhymes: -ʌlk === Noun === skulk (plural skulks) (collective) A group of foxes. (figurative) A group of people seen as being fox-like (e.g. cunning, dishonest, or having nefarious plans). The act of skulking. The act of moving in a stealthy or furtive way. A stealthy or furtive gait or way of moving. The act of avoiding an obligation or responsibility. (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. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === References ===