lurk

English

/lɜːk/, /lɝk/

verb

Definitions

To remain concealed in order to ambush.
To remain unobserved.
To hang out or wait around a location, preferably without drawing attention to oneself.
(Internet) To view an internet forum without posting comments.
(UK) To saddle (a person) with an undesirable task or duty.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English lurken derived from Old Norse lurka (go slowly, sneak away).

Origin

Old Norse

lurka

Gloss

go slowly, sneak away

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms

delurk English
delurker English
lurker English
lurkership English
lurkest English
lurketh English
lurkiness English
lurksome English
lurky English
photolurker English
lurkata Finnish
lurkkaaja Finnish
lurkkaus Finnish
lurken Middle English
lurka Old Norse