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Shirk vs Shirky - What's the difference?

shirk | shirky |

As a verb shirk

is to avoid, especially a duty, responsibility, etc; to stay away from.

As a noun shirk

is one who shirks or shirk can be (islam) the unforgivable sin of idolatry.

As an adjective shirky is

(colloquial) disposed to shirk.

shirk

English

Etymology 1

First attested use in 1625 – 1635, apparently from association with shark (verb form), or from (etyl) .

Verb

(en verb)
  • To avoid, especially a duty, responsibility, etc.; to stay away from.
  • * Hare
    • the usual makeshift by which they try to shirk difficulties
  • To evade an obligation; to avoid the performance of duty, as by running away.
    • If you have a job, don't shirk from it by staying off work.
  • * Byron
    • One of the cities shirked from the league.
  • To procure by petty fraud and trickery; to obtain by mean solicitation.
  • * Bishop Rainbow
    • You that never heard the call of any vocation, that shirk living from others, but time from yourselves.
    Synonyms
    * blow off (US) * goldbrick (dated)
    See also
    * malinger

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • one who shirks

    • Etymology 2

    (etyl) (širk , "idolatry").

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • (Islam) the unforgivable sin of idolatry

    • References

    English heteronyms

    shirky

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (colloquial) Disposed to shirk.
    • (Webster 1913)