skunk

Dictionary of American Words And Phrases by John Russell Bartlett.

(Mephitis putorius.)


A small, carnivorous American quadruped, allied to the weasel and badger, and very fetid. An aboriginal or Indian term.--Worcester.

to skunk

To utterly defeat. In games of chance, if one of the players fails to make a point, he is said to be skunked. A presidential candidate who fails to secure one electoral vote is also skunked.

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