Skunk

Skunk
Skunk Skunk, n. [Contr. from the Abenaki (American Indian) seganku.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of American musteline carnivores of the genus {Mephitis} and allied genera. They have two glands near the anus, secreting an extremely fetid liquid, which the animal ejects at pleasure as a means of defense. [1913 Webster]

Note: The common species of the Eastern United States ({Mephitis mephitica}) is black with more or less white on the body and tail. The spotted skunk ({Spilogale putorius}), native of the Southwestern United States and Mexico, is smaller than the common skunk, and is variously marked with black and white. [1913 Webster]

{Skunk bird}, {Skunk blackbird} (Zo["o]l.), the bobolink; -- so called because the male, in the breeding season, is black and white, like a skunk.

{Skunk cabbage} (Bot.), an American aroid herb ({Symplocarpus f[oe]tidus}) having a reddish hornlike spathe in earliest spring, followed by a cluster of large cabbagelike leaves. It exhales a disagreeable odor. Also called {swamp cabbage}.

{Skunk porpoise}. (Zo["o]l.) See under {Porpoise}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Skunk — Skunk, v. t. In games of chance and skill: To defeat (an opponent) (as in cards) so that he fails to gain a point, or (in checkers) to get a king. [Colloq. U. S.] [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • skunk — s.m.inv. TS zool.com. → moffetta {{line}} {{/line}} DATA: 1873. ETIMO: dall ingl. skunk, dall algonchino segongue …   Dizionario italiano

  • skunk — (n.) 1630s, squunck, from a southern New England Algonquian language (probably Abenaki) seganku, from Proto Algonquian */ЕЎeka:kwa/, from */ЕЎek / to urinate + */ a:kw/ fox. As an insult, attested from 1841. Skunk cabbage is attested from 1751 …   Etymology dictionary

  • skunk — skunk; skunk·ery; …   English syllables

  • skunk — ☆ skunk [skuŋk ] n. pl. skunks or skunk [< New England Algonquian cognate of Abenaki segôgw] 1. a) 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… …   English World dictionary

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