Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Spunk
Spunk
(spŭṉk)
, Noun.
[Gael.
spong
, or Ir. sponc
, tinder, sponge; cf. AS. sponge
a sponge (L. spongia
), spōn
a chip. Cf. Sponge
, Punk
.] [Written also
sponk
.] 1.
Wood that readily takes fire; touchwood; also, a kind of tinder made from a species of fungus; punk; amadou.
Sir T. Browne.
2.
An inflammable temper; spirit; mettle; pluck;
as, a man of
. spunk
[Colloq.]
A lawless and dangerous set, men of
spunk
, and spirit, and power, both of mind and body. Prof. Wilson.
Webster 1828 Edition
Spunk
SPUNK
,Noun.
1.
Touchwood; wood that readily takes fire. Hence,2.
Vulgarly, an inflammable temper; spirit; as a man of spunk. Ill natured observations touched his spunk. [Low.]