I. ˈpəŋk noun
Etymology: origin unknown
Date: 1596
1. archaic : prostitute
2.
[probably partly from punk (III)]
: nonsense , foolishness
3.
a. : a young inexperienced person : beginner , novice ; especially : a young man
b. : a usually petty gangster, hoodlum, or ruffian
c. slang : a young man used as a homosexual partner especially in a prison
4.
a. : punk rock
b. : a punk rock musician
c. : one who affects punk styles
II. adjective
Date: 1896
1. : very poor : inferior
played a punk game
2. : being in poor health
said that she was feeling punk
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 ˈpəŋ-kish adjective
III. noun
Etymology: perhaps alteration of spunk
Date: 1687
1. : wood so decayed as to be dry, crumbly, and useful for tinder
2. : a preparation (as of a stick of coated wood) that burns slowly and is used to ignite fuses especially of fireworks