I. ˈspəŋk noun
( -s )
Etymology: Scottish Gaelic spong tinder, sponge, from Latin spongia sponge — more at sponge
1. dialect Britain
a. : a small portion or bit : spark , gleam
b. : a small fire
c. : match III 2a
2.
a. : a wood or woody substance prepared for use as tinder : touchwood , punk
b. : any of various fungi used to make tinder
3. : mettle , pluck , courage
assigned themes on the spunk of great persons who had overcome physical handicaps — Robert Lowell
enough spunk in the department to resent such an arrogant blow at its prestige — H.L.Ickes
4. : spirit , liveliness
as for his musical efforts … who could play with such tremendous spunk — William Black
a story told with rare spunk , with the repetition and the surprise action small listeners love — New York Herald Tribune Book Review
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
intransitive verb
1. Scotland : to come to light : become known — usually used with out
2. dialect : to assert oneself in a spirited or courageous manner : show spirit — usually used with up
transitive verb
: to work up : muster — usually used with up
has spunked up courage to tell the awful truth about the fallout — New Republic