Definition of "skulk"
skulk
noun
plural skulks
Quotations
(figuratively) A group of people seen as being fox-like (e.g. cunning, dishonest, or having nefarious plans).
Quotations
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.
1982, Richard Girling, “1160: Chivalry”, in The Forest on the Hill, New York: Viking, page 69
Ten days after the attacks, a skulk of insurance executives met with President Bush and Commerce Secretary Donald Evans to press for the creation of a multibillion-dollar government safety net to limit their exposure to future terrorist incidents.
2004, Micah L. Sifry, Nancy Watzman, chapter 24, in Is That a Politician in Your Pocket?, Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, pages 200–201
The act of avoiding an obligation or responsibility.
Quotations
[They took] good care […] to swing their hammocks as far abaft as possible, for the twofold purpose of having a skulk in their watch below at night, and to keep clear of the sprays, which usually pour down the gratings […]
1859, George Little, chapter 3, in The American Cruiser’s Own Book, Philadelphia: J.B. Smith, page 36
Bidwell is not the only one who feigns paralysis; many poison their flesh by inserting in it copper-wire or worsted; others swallow ground glass, eat poisonous insects, swallow soap and soda, or slightly maim and disable themselves. Anything by which they can secure a skulk, and escape from what Mr. Carlyle has wisely called the “sacredness of work.”
1879, anonymous author, chapter 7, in Convict Life; or, Revelations Concerning Convicts and Convict Prisons, London: Wyman & Sons
(obsolete, chiefly nautical, military) One who avoids an obligation or responsibility.
Quotations
If you should ever need help, my son, let this be your rule—‘never ask it from the man who deserted his country in her hour of need.’ The soldier’s child will find no mercy from a skulk, depend on it.
1872, Sallie F. Chapin, chapter 7, in Fitz-Hugh St. Clair, the South Carolina Rebel Boy, Philadelphia: Claxton, Remsen & Haffelfinger, page 75
verb
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).
Quotations
Is whispering nothing?Is leaning cheek to cheek? is meeting noses?Kissing with inside lip? stopping the careerOf laughing with a sigh?—a note infallibleOf breaking honesty—horsing foot on foot?Skulking in corners? wishing clocks more swift?
c. 1610–1611 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Winters Tale”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act I, scene ii]
[…] vice skulks, with all its native deformity, from close investigation;
1791 (date written), Mary Wollstonecraft, chapter 1, in A Vindication of the Rights of Woman: With Strictures on Political and Moral Subjects, 1st American edition, Boston, Mass.: […] Peter Edes for Thomas and Andrews, […], published 1792
Behind dingy blind and curtain, in upper story and garret, skulking more or less under false names, false hair, false titles, false jewellery, and false histories, a colony of brigands lie in their first sleep.
1852 March – 1853 September, Charles Dickens, “26”, in Bleak House, London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1853
Stephen's craze for physical culture increased, and now it began to invade the schoolroom. Dumb-bells appeared in the schoolroom bookcases, while half worn-out gym shoes skulked in the corners.
1928, Radclyffe Hall, chapter 6, in The Well of Loneliness, London: Jonathan Cape; republished New York, N.Y.: Covici Friede Publishers, October 1932, book 1, section 5, page 60
To move in a stealthy or furtive way; to come or go while trying to avoid detection.
Quotations
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.
1577, Raphaell Holinshed, The Firste Volume of the Chronicles of England, Scotlande, and Irelande […], volume I, London: […] [Henry Bynneman] for Iohn Harrison, page 142
Sir Francis Clavering made his appearance, and skulked for a while about the magnificent rooms; but the company and the splendour which he met there were not to the Baronet’s taste […]
1848 November – 1850 December, William Makepeace Thackeray, chapter 46, in The History of Pendennis. […], volumes (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Bradbury and Evans, […], published 1849–1850
To avoid an obligation or responsibility.
Quotations
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.
1933 January 9, George Orwell [pseudonym; Eric Arthur Blair], chapter XXXIII, in Down and Out in Paris and London, London: Victor Gollancz […]