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shirk

Pronunciation: /ʃɜːk/

The English word “shirk” has 5 meanings listed here.

verb

  1. To avoid, especially a duty, responsibility, etc.; to stay away from.
  2. To evade an obligation; to avoid the performance of duty, as by running away.
  3. To procure by petty fraud and trickery; to obtain by mean solicitation.

noun

  1. One who shirks, who avoids a duty or responsibility.
  2. The unforgivable sin of association (claiming something or someone can share in the oneness of God).

Etymology

First use appears c. 1633, in the publications of Shackerley Marmion, apparently from association with shark (verb), or otherwise directly from German Schurke (“rogue, knave”).

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