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spunk

1. Wood that readily takes fire; touchwood; also, a kind of tinder made from a species of fungus; punk; amadou.

2. An inflammable temper; spirit; mettle; pluck; as, a man of spunk. A lawless and dangerous set, men of spunk, and spirit, and power, both of mind and body. (Prof. Wilson)

Origin: Gael. Spong, or Ir. Sponc, tinder, sponge; cf. AS. Sponge a sponge (L. Spongia), spon a chip. Cf. Sponge, Punk

Alternative forms: sponk.