hunker: Meaning and Definition of

hun•ker

Pronunciation: (hung'kur), [key]
— v.i.
  1. to squat on one's heels (often fol. by down).
  2. The driver hunkered over the steering wheel.
    1. to hunch:The driver hunkered over the steering wheel.
    2. to hide, hide out, or take shelter (usually fol. by down):The escaped convicts hunkered down in a cave in the mountains.
    3. to hold resolutely or stubbornly to a policy, opinion, etc., when confronted by criticism, opposition, or unfavorable circumstances (usually fol. by down):Though all the evidence was against him, he hunkered down and refused to admit his guilt.
  3. to lumber along; walk or move slowly or aimlessly.
—n.
  1. one's haunches.
    1. Brit. Informal.squatting on one's heels.
    2. suffering a period of poverty, bad luck, or the like.

Hun•ker

Pronunciation: (hung'kur), [key]
— n.
  1. a member of the conservative faction in the Democratic party in New York State, 1845–48. Cf. Barnburner.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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