Wordsmith.org: the magic of words


A.Word.A.Day

About | Media | Search | Contact  


Home

Today's Word

Yesterday's Word

Archives

FAQ



Jun 25, 2013
This week's theme
Word coined from animals

This week's words
fishwife
skunky
gossamer
birdlime
chameleonic

Internet Anagram Server
I, Rearrangement Servant
May I try your name?
Bookmark and Share Facebook Twitter Digg MySpace Bookmark and Share
A.Word.A.Day
with Anu Garg

skunky

PRONUNCIATION:
(SKUNG-kee)

MEANING:
adjective:
1. Mean or contemptible.
2. Having an unpleasant odor.
3. Of or relating to a skunk.

ETYMOLOGY:
From skunk, an animal that ejects a foul-smelling liquid when frightened. Derived from an Algonquian language. Earliest documented use: 1897.

USAGE:
"I had a couple of skunky-sounding audience tapes, tinkling out distant brown scurf from Nassau Coliseum."
Ben Ratliff; Bring Out Your Dead; The New York Times; Apr 10, 2009.

"The battle over campaign disclosure in Idaho's education-reform campaign is the latest skunky fruit of Citizens United."
Shawn Vestal; Ills of Citizens United Visible in Idaho Election; Spokesman Review (Spokane, Washington); Oct 26, 2012.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:
Should you shield the canyons from the windstorms you would never see the true beauty of their carvings. -Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, psychiatrist and author (1926-2004)

We need your help

Help us continue to spread the magic of words to readers everywhere

Donate

Subscriber Services
Awards | Stats | Links | Privacy Policy
Contribute | Advertise

© 1994-2024 Wordsmith