shirk

Verb

WordNet 3.0

avoid (one's assigned duties)“The derelict soldier shirked his duties”Synonyms: fiddle shrink from goldbrick
avoid dealing with“She shirks her duties”

Shirk \Shirk\, n. One who lives by shifts and tricks; one who avoids the performance of duty or labor. [1913 Webster]

Shirk \Shirk\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Shirked; p. pr. & vb. n. Shirking.] [Probably the same word as shark. See Shark, v. t.]

1.To procure by petty fraud and trickery; to obtain by mean solicitation. [1913 Webster]

You that never heard the call of any vocation, . . . that shirk living from others, but time from Yourselves.— Bp. Rainbow.[1913 Webster]

2.To avoid; to escape; to neglect; -- implying unfaithfulness or fraud; as, to shirk duty. [1913 Webster]

The usual makeshift by which they try to shirk difficulties.— Hare.[1913 Webster]

Shirk \Shirk\, v. i.

1.To live by shifts and fraud; to shark. [1913 Webster]

2.To evade an obligation; to avoid the performance of duty, as by running away. [1913 Webster]

One of the cities shirked from the league.— Byron.[1913 Webster]