slink

¹slink

verb \ˈsliŋk\

slunk \ˈsləŋk\ also slinked \ˈsliŋ(k)t\ slink·ing

Definition of SLINK

intransitive verb

1

: to go or move stealthily or furtively (as in fear or shame) : steal

2

: to move in a sinuous provocative manner

transitive verb

: to give premature birth to —used especially of a domestic animal <a cow that slinks her calf>

Examples of SLINK

1. He slinked away in shame.
2. <like a thief slinking about in the middle of the night>

Origin of SLINK

Middle English, from Old English slincan to creep; akin to Old English slingan to worm, twist

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to SLINK

Synonyms

lurk, mooch, mouse, pussyfoot, shirk, skulk, slide, sneak, slip, snake, steal

Related Words

crawl, creep, edge, inch, worm; ghost, pad, tiptoe

See Synonym Discussion at lurk

Rhymes with SLINK

blink, brink, chink, clink, dink, drink, fink, gink, ink, jink, kink, link, mink, pink, plink, prink, rink, shrink, sink, skink, stink, swink, sync, think, wink, zinc

²slink

noun

Definition of SLINK

: the young of an animal (as a calf) brought forth prematurely; also : the flesh or skin of such an animal

First Known Use of SLINK

1607

³slink

adjective

Definition of SLINK

: born prematurely or abortively <a slink calf>

First Known Use of SLINK

1750