skʌŋk n. & v. --n. 1 a
any of
various cat-sized flesh-eating mammals of
the family Mustelidae,
esp.
Mephitis mephitis having a
distinctive black and white striped fur and
able to
emit a
powerful stench from a
liquid secreted by
its anal glands as a
defence. b its fur. 2 colloq. a thoroughly
contemptible person. --v.tr. 1 US sl.
defeat. 2
fail to pay (a bill etc.). øskunk-bear US a
wolverine. skunk-cabbage US a
herbaceous plant, Lysichiton americanum,
with an offensive-smelling
spathe. [Amer. Ind. segankw, segongw]