Entry Word: shirk

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to get or keep away from (as a responsibility) through cleverness or trickery <you always try to shirk paying your fair share of the bill by claiming you “forgot” your wallet> — see escape 2
2 to leave undone or unattended to especially through carelessness <a deadbeat who has been shirking his duty to his family for years> — see neglect 2