Skink: meaning, definitions and examples
๐ฆ
skink
[ skษชลk ]
animal species
A skink is a type of lizard belonging to the family Scincidae, which is known for its smooth, shiny scales and elongated body shape. Skinks can be found in a variety of habitats, ranging from forests to deserts, and they are often characterized by their elongated limbs or, in some species, a complete lack of limbs.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The skink hid beneath a rock to escape the heat.
- In the garden, we spotted a vibrant blue skink.
- Some skinks are capable of losing their tails as a defense mechanism.
slang term
In certain informal contexts, 'skink' can refer to a person who is considered annoying or bothersome. This usage is primarily slang and not widely recognized in formal vocabulary.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Don't be such a skink at the party.
- He was acting like a total skink with his constant interruptions.
Translations
Translations of the word "skink" in other languages:
๐ต๐น skink
๐ฎ๐ณ เคธเฅเคเคฟเคเค
๐ฉ๐ช Skink
๐ฎ๐ฉ skink
๐บ๐ฆ ัะบัะฝะบ
๐ต๐ฑ skink
๐ฏ๐ต ในใญใณใฏ
๐ซ๐ท scinque
๐ช๐ธ esquink
๐น๐ท skink
๐ฐ๐ท ์คํจํฌ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุณููู
๐จ๐ฟ skink
๐ธ๐ฐ skink
๐จ๐ณ ้ณ่ฅ
๐ธ๐ฎ skink
๐ฎ๐ธ skink
๐ฐ๐ฟ ัะบัะฝะบ
๐ฌ๐ช แกแแแแแ
๐ฆ๐ฟ skink
๐ฒ๐ฝ skink
Word origin
The term 'skink' originates from the Old English word 'scinc', which referred to a type of lizard. Since then, it has evolved linguistically over centuries, especially within the scope of zoology. The family Scincidae, to which skinks belong, comprises over 1,500 species, demonstrating considerable diversity across the globe. This diversity has driven research and classification efforts, with skinks being a prominent subject for both scientific study and casual observation due to their unique adaptations, such as limb reduction and tail autotomy. While the primary definition remains related to reptiles, the informal use of 'skink' to denote a bothersome person showcases how language can shift and adapt to cultural contexts. Understanding this evolution provides insight into both historical linguistics and contemporary usage.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranking #37,005, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.
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- 37002 deviled
- 37003 murderously
- 37004 reissuing
- 37005 skink
- 37006 boozy
- 37007 cloy
- 37008 illusionist
- ...