1. spunk(n = noun.substance) kindling, punk, tinder, touchwood - material for starting a fire;
is a kind of igniter, ignitor, lighter
2. spunk(n = noun.attribute) heart, mettle, nerve - the courage to carry on; "he kept fighting on pure spunk"; "you haven't got the heart for baseball"
is a kind of braveness, bravery, courage, courageousness
Derived forms adjective spunky2, adjective spunky1
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. [1913 Webster]
"A lawless and dangerous set, men of spunk, and spirit, and power, both of mind and body." [1913 Webster]
spunk, n.
1 touchwood.
2 colloq. courage, mettle, spirit.
3 coarse sl. semen.
Usage:
Usually considered a taboo use.
Etymology:
16th c.: orig. unkn.: cf. PUNK
N courage, bravery, valor, resoluteness, boldness, spirit, daring, gallantry, intrepidity, contempt of danger, defiance of danger, derring-do, audacity, rashness, dash, defiance, confidence, self-reliance, manliness, manhood, nerve, pluck, mettle, game, heart, heart of grace, spunk, guts, face, virtue, hardihood, fortitude, intestinal fortitude, firmness, heart of oak, bottom, backbone, spine, resolution, bulldog courage, prowess, heroism, chivalry, exploit, feat, achievement, heroic deed, heroic act, bold stroke, man, man of mettle, hero, demigod, Amazon, Hector, lion, tiger, panther, bulldog, gamecock, fighting-cock, bully, fire eater, courageous, brave, valiant, valorous, gallant, intrepid, spirited, spiritful, high-spirited, high-mettled, mettlesome, plucky, manly, manful, resolute, stout, stout-hearted, iron-hearted, lion-hearted, heart of oak, Penthesilean, bold, bold-spirited, daring, audacious, fearless, dauntless, dreadless, aweless, undaunted, unappalled, undismayed, unawed, unblanched, unabashed, unalarmed, unflinching, unshrinking, unblanching, unapprehensive, confident, self-reliant, bold as a lion, bold as brass, enterprising, adventurous, venturous, venturesome, dashing, chivalrous, soldierly, heroic, fierce, savage, pugnacious, strong-minded, hardy, doughty, firm, determined, dogged, indomitable, up to, up to the scratch, upon one's mettle, reassured, unfeared, undreaded, one's blood being up, courage sans peur, fortes fortuna adjuvat, have I not in my time heard lions roar, I dare do all that may become a man, male vincetis sed vincite, omne solum forti patria, self-trust is the essence of heroism, stimulos dedit oemula virtus, strong and great, a hero, teloque animus proestantior omni, there, is always safety in valor, virtus ariete fortier.