lurk

[lurk] /lɜrk/
verb (used without object)
1.
to lie or wait in concealment, as a person in ambush; remain in or around a place secretly or furtively.
2.
to go furtively; slink; steal.
3.
to exist unperceived or unsuspected.
4.
Chiefly Computers. to read or observe an ongoing discussion without participating in it, as in an Internet newsgroup.
noun, Australian Informal.
5.
an underhand scheme; dodge.
6.
an easy, somewhat lazy or unethical way of earning a living, performing a task, etc.
7.
a hideout.
Origin
1250-1300; Middle English lurken, frequentative of lower2; compare Norwegian lurka to sneak away
Related forms
lurker, noun
lurkingly, adverb
unlurking, adjective
Synonyms
1. Lurk, skulk, sneak, prowl suggest avoiding observation, often because of a sinister purpose. To lurk is to lie in wait for someone or to hide about a place, often without motion, for periods of time. Skulk suggests cowardliness and stealth of movement. Sneak emphasizes the attempt to avoid being seen. It has connotations of slinking and of an abject meanness of manner, whether there exists a sinister intent or the desire to avoid punishment for some misdeed. Prowl implies the definite purpose of seeking for prey; it suggests continuous action in roaming or wandering, slowly and quietly but watchfully, as a cat that is hunting mice.
Examples from the web for lurk
  • Sharp teeth and sticky tongues lurk everywhere in the wild.
  • Underneath this interface lurk two vision systems that work in parallel.
  • Groups of sullen-looking bachelor monkeys lurk outside the herds.
  • Some spectacular salad combinations lurk in this lineup.
  • They lurk in the aisles, and they linger at the booths.
  • It's more than hubris, which can sometimes lurk behind an introverted personality.
  • It would even indicate the nature of the dark energy and dark matter that lurk at the edge of perception.
  • Bizarre fish with sensitive eyes, translucent fangs, and bioluminescent lures lurk about in nearby waters.
  • Traces of chemicals known to cause human cancer lurk everywhere.
  • We look for whatever scientific tidbits might lurk behind those stories.
British Dictionary definitions for lurk

lurk

/lɜːk/
verb (intransitive)
1.
to move stealthily or be concealed, esp for evil purposes
2.
to be present in an unobtrusive way; go unnoticed
3.
to read messages posted on an electronic network without contributing messages oneself
noun
4.
(Austral & NZ, slang) a scheme or stratagem for success
Derived Forms
lurker, noun
Word Origin
C13: probably frequentative of lour; compare Middle Dutch loeren to lie in wait
Word Origin and History for lurk
v.

c.1300, lurken "to hide, lie hidden," probably from Scandinavian (cf. dialectal Norwegian lurka "to sneak away," dialectal Swedish lurka "to be slow in one's work"), perhaps ultimately related to Middle English luren "to frown, lurk" (see lower (v.2)). Related: Lurked; lurking.

Slang definitions & phrases for lurk

lurk

verb
  1. To ride about looking for sex partners; cruise: Me and the boys are going lurken' tonight to pick up some foxy broads (1960s+ Black)
  2. : Lurk: To log onto a bulletin board and read the discussion without participating or making your presence known (1990s+ Computer)

lurk in Technology


lurking