Definition of "skunk" [skunk]

• Any of several small, mostly carnivorous New World mammals of the genus Mephitis and related genera, having a bushy tail and black fur with white markings and ejecting a foul-smelling oily liquid from glands near the anus when frightened or in danger. Also called polecat. (noun)
• The glossy black and white fur of this mammal. (noun)
• Slang A person regarded as obnoxious or despicable. (noun)
• Slang A person whose company is avoided. (noun)
• Slang To defeat overwhelmingly, especially by keeping from scoring. (verb-transitive)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "What I think we need more with NASA and with the Pentagon is less of this micro-managing, which adds hugely to costs, and have a fundamental reform of contracting where you say what your goals are with a vehicle or a weapons system, and then put it in what they call skunk works, where you say get the job done, we're not going to micro - manage you."
• "I couldn't help but laugh when they were showing that clip of Bruha talking away and the poor skunk is walking around in circles STILL with that jar on its head."
• "I also like the way the skunk is walking around in the background with the jar stuck on it's head as they interview the whisperer."