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shirk

   Also found in: Financial, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.03 sec.
shirk  (shûrk)
v. shirked, shirk·ing, shirks
v.tr.
To avoid or neglect (a duty or responsibility).
v.intr.
To avoid work or duty.

[Perhaps from German Schurke, scoundrel; akin to Old High German fiurscurgo, demon : fiur, fire + scurigen, to stir up.]

shirker n.

shirk
Verb
to avoid doing (work or a duty); to be negligent: no-one shirks when he's around [probably from German Schurke rogue]
shirker n
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Verb1.shirk - avoid (one's assigned duties); "The derelict soldier shirked his duties"
avoid - refrain from doing something; "She refrains from calling her therapist too often"; "He should avoid publishing his wife's memories"
scrimshank - British military language: avoid work
malinger, skulk - avoid responsibilities and duties, e.g., by pretending to be ill
slack - avoid responsibilities and work, be idle
2.shirk - avoid dealing with; "She shirks her duties"
avoid - stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something; "Her former friends now avoid her"

shirk
verb 1. dodge, avoid, evade, get out of, duck (out of) (informal) shun, sidestep, body-swerve Scot. bob off Brit. (slang) scrimshank Brit. Military (slang)
verb 2. skive, Brit. (slang) slack, idle, malinger, swing the lead, gold-brick U.S. (slang) bob off Brit. (slang) bludge Austral., N.Z. (informal) scrimshank Brit. Military (slang)
Translations
Spanish shirk [ʃəːk] vteludir, esquivar [+ obligations]; faltar a
French shirk [ʃəːk] vtesquiver, se dérober à
German shirk [ʃəːk] vtsich drücken vor +dat
Italian shirk [ʃəːk] vtsottrarsi a, evitare

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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
But next morning I perceived clearly enough that my curiosity regarding the Palace of Green Porcelain was a piece of self-deception, to enable me to shirk, by another day, an experience I dreaded.
She told me once that her Grandmother West always impressed upon her the fact that when she assumed any responsibility she must never shirk it, no matter what the consequences might be.
The gallant combatant came well primed by his master the duke as to how he was to bear himself against the valiant Don Quixote of La Mancha; being warned that he must on no account slay him, but strive to shirk the first encounter so as to avoid the risk of killing him, as he was sure to do if he met him full tilt.
 
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