funk1
n.
(also
blue funk)
a state of panic or fear.
▸N. Amer. a state of depression.
v.
avoid out of fear.
Etymology
C18: perh. from funk2 in the informal sense ‘tobacco smoke’, or from obs. Flemish fonck ‘disturbance, agitation’.
funk2
n.
- a style of popular dance music of US black origin, having a strong rhythm that typically accentuates the first beat in the bar.
- N. Amer. informal, dated a strong musty smell of sweat or tobacco.
v.
(
funk something up)
give music elements of funk.
Etymology
C17: perh. from Fr. dial. funkier ‘blow smoke on’.
