hunks

English

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /hʌŋks/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ʌŋks

Etymology 1

Unknown.

Noun

hunks (plural hunkses)

1. (slang, dated) A crotchety or surly person.
   • 1851, Herman Melville, Moby-Dick:

     Now, Bildad, I am sorry to say, had the reputation of being an incorrigible old hunks, and in his sea-going days, a bitter, hard task-master.

   • 1897, Richard Marsh, The Beetle:

     I used to fancy my revolver shooting when I was with the colours, and if I do get a chance I’ll put a shot through the old hunks, if only to prove to you that I’m no liar.

2. (slang, dated) A stingy man; a miser.

Etymology 2

Inflected forms.

Noun

hunks

1. plural of hunk

Further reading

• “hunks”, in OneLook Dictionary Search.

Anagrams

• Kuhns, Shunk