skulker

Noun

skulker (plural skulkers)

1. One who stays where they cannot be seen (often in a cowardly way or with the intent of doing harm).
   • Our men, from their position, can’t see these skulkers, who will have a good chance to pick off some of them at their leisure.1894, William Taylor Adams (as Oliver Optic), Brother Against Brother, or The War on the Border, Boston: Lee and Shepard, Chapter 22, p. 274
   • The Lyonesse army cautiously advanced into the forest, but came upon no Daut resistance. Cassander’s dissatisfaction was compounded by the pulsing pain in his shoulder. He began to curse under his breath. “Where are the skulkers? Why do they not reveal themselves?”1989, Jack Vance, chapter 12, in Madouc, Novato, CA: Underwood-Miller, page 344
2. One who moves in a stealthy or furtive way; one who comes or goes while trying to avoid detection.
   • Afterwards he was again taken by Ethiopian Skulkers, and carry’d away into the Maritime Parts of Ethiopia.1700, George Booth, transl., The Historical Library of Diodorus the Sicilian in Fifteen Books, London: Awnsham and John Churchill, Book 2, Chapter 4, p. 81
   • O that thou hadst believ’d me! Yester evening
     Did we conjure thee not to let that skulker,
     That fox, Octavio, pass the gates of Pilsen.
     Thou gav’st him thy own horses to flee from thee.1800, Samuel Taylor Coleridge (translator), The Death of Wallenstein by Friedrich Schiller, Act I, Scene 7, in Wallenstein. A Drama in Two Parts, London: Longman and Rees, p. 24
3. One who avoids an obligation or responsibility.
   • When we appeared upon deck, the captain bid the doctor, who stood bowing at his right hand, look at these lazy, lubberly sons of bitches, who were good for nothing on board, but to eat the king’s provision, and encourage idleness in the skulkers.1748, Tobias Smollett, chapter 27, in The Adventures of Roderick Random, volume 1, London: J. Osborn, page 248
   • John himself was no skulker in joy. He not only bestowed on Mr. Morland the high commendation of being one of the finest fellows in the world, but swore off many sentences in his praise.1803 (date written), [Jane Austen], chapter XV, in Northanger Abbey; published in Northanger Abbey: And Persuasion. […], volume (please specify |volume=I or II), London: John Murray, […], 20 December...

   Synonyms:

   shirk, shirker, skulk