punk 1  (p ŭngk)
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n. 1. Slang a. An often aggressive or violent young person: The building was set on fire by a bunch of punks. b. An inexperienced young person: We don't want that little punk tagging along. c. A cowardly or weak young person: Don't let him disrespect you—show him you're not a punk. 2. Music a. Punk rock. b. A punk rocker. 3. a. Slang A young man who is the sexual partner of an older man, especially in prison. b. Archaic A prostitute. v. punked, punk·ing, punks Slang v. intr. To act in a cowardly manner. Often used with out. v. tr. 1. To humiliate (someone). Often used with down or out. 2. a. To dupe or deceive. b. To play a practical joke on.
[Origin unknown.]
punker n. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2020 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
punk 2  (p ŭngk)
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n.1. Dry decayed wood, used as tinder. 2. Any of various substances that smolder when ignited, used to light fireworks. 3. Chinese incense. adj. Slang 1. Of poor quality; worthless. 2. Weak in spirits or health.
[Probably of eastern Algonquian origin.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2020 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices
Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:
Indo-European Roots
Semitic Roots
The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.
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