51Թ

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View synonyms for

spook

[ spook ]

noun

  1. Informal. a ghost; specter.
  2. Slang. a ghostwriter.
  3. Slang. an eccentric person.
  4. Slang: Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous term used to refer to a Black person.
  5. Slang. an espionage agent; spy.


verb (used with object)

  1. to haunt; inhabit or appear in or to as a ghost or specter.
  2. Informal. to frighten; scare.

verb (used without object)

  1. Informal. to become frightened or scared:

    The fish spooked at any disturbance in the pool.

spook

/ ː /

noun

  1. a ghost or a person suggestive of this
  2. a spy
  3. slang.
    any pale or colourless alcoholic spirit

    spook and diesel

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to frighten

    to spook a person

    to spook horses

  2. (of a ghost) to haunt
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Sensitive Note

When referring to a black person, the term spook dates back to the 1940s. It is used with disparaging intent and is perceived as highly insulting. Black pilots who trained at Tuskegee Institute during World War II were called the Spookwaffe. Some sources say that black pilots reclaimed this derogatory nickname as a self-referential term of pride.
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Derived Forms

  • ˈǴǰ쾱, adjective
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • Ǵǰİ· noun
  • Ǵǰi adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of spook1

An Americanism first recorded in 1795–1805; from Dutch; cognate with German Spuk
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of spook1

C19: Dutch spook, from Middle Low German ō ghost
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Rather than spook the demonstrators, the killings galvanised them and they tried for parliament again.

From

So they spook the cow and get it running, following behind at a comfortable trot until the cow is exhausted.

From

The unfunded tax cuts announced then spooked investors, who dumped UK government bonds, resulting in the Bank of England stepping in to buy bonds to save pension funds from collapse.

From

Some politicians are warning that the plan could itself spook markets.

From

The US president has said tariffs will boost US manufacturing and jobs, but stock markets have been spooked.

From

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