[punk] n [origin unknown] (1596) 1 archaic: prostitute
2. [prob. partly fr. [3]punk]: nonsense, foolishness 3 a: a young inexperienced person: beginner, novice; esp: a young man b: a usu. petty gangster, hoodlum, or ruffian c: a youth used as a homosexual partner
4. a: punk rock b: a punk rock musician c: one who affects punk styles
[2]punk adj (1896) 1: very poor: inferior "played a ~ game"
2: being in poor health "said that she was feeling ~" 3 a: of or relating to punk rock b: relating to or being a style (as of dress or hair) inspired by punk rock -- punk.ish adj [3]punk n [perh. alter. of spunk] (1687) 1: wood so decayed as to be dry, crumbly, and useful for tinder
2: a dry spongy substance prepared from fungi (genus Fomes) and used to ignite fuses esp. of fireworks