skunk
UK: skʌŋk | US: skʌŋk
n. a small, black-and-white North American mammal known for spraying a foul-smelling liquid when threatened
n. (slang) a contemptible or dishonest person
vt. (informal) to defeat decisively or cheat
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The word "skunk" originates from the Algonquian language family (likely Massachusett squunck or Abenaki segankw), referring to the animal's distinct odor. Early European settlers adopted the term, preserving its phonetic structure. Unlike many English words derived from Latin or Greek, "skunk" retains its Indigenous American roots, reflecting its ecological and cultural origin.
A skunk wandered into our backyard last night.
He’s such a skunk for lying about the deal.
The team was skunked 10-0 in the championship.
The smell of a skunk’s spray is notoriously hard to remove.
She compared the unethical politician to a skunk.