spunk

Noun
Synonyms: kindlingtindertouchwoodpunkheartmettlenerve

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. material for starting a fireSynonyms: kindlingtindertouchwoodpunk
  2. the courage to carry on“he kept fighting on pure spunk”“you haven't got the heart for baseball”Synonyms: heartmettlenerve
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Spunk \Spunk\ (sp[u^][ng]k), n. [Gael. spong, or Ir. sponc, tinder, sponge; cf. AS. sponge a sponge (L. spongia), sp[=o]n 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. [1913 Webster]

2.An inflammable temper; spirit; mettle; pluck; as, a man of spunk. [Colloq.] [1913 Webster]

A lawless and dangerous set, men of spunk, and spirit, and power, both of mind and body.— Prof. Wilson.[1913 Webster]
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