sulk
/sʌlk/
sulk
Definition
To express ill humor or offence by remaining sullenly silent or withdrawn.
Etymology
Back-formation from sulky, of uncertain origin. Probably from Middle English *sulke, *solke (attested in solcenesse (“idleness; laziness”), from Old English āsolcennys (“idleness; slothfulness; sluggishness; laziness”), from āsolcen (“sulky, languid”), from past participle of Old English āseolcan (“be slow; be weak or slothful; languish”), from Proto-Germanic *selkaną (“to fall in drops; dribble; droop”), from Proto-Indo-European *sélǵ-o-nom, from *selǵ- (“to let go, send”). Cognate with several Indo-Iranian words deriving from Proto-Indo-Iranian *sarȷ́- (such as Sanskrit सृजति (sṛjáti), सर्जन (sárjana), सृक (sṛká)), possibly Hittite 𒊭𒀠𒀝𒍣 (ša-al-ak-zi /šalkzi/, “knead, mix”), although the semantic connection is weak.
Example Sentences
- "Mr. Riach, who had been to the college, spoke to me like a friend when he was not sulking, and told me many curious things, […]"
- "You crossed her last wish in death and yet you sulk with me because I don’t whinge like some hired mute from Lalouette’s."