duck

¹

[ duhk ]

noun

, plural ducks, duck.

1. any of numerous wild or domesticated web-footed swimming birds of the family Anatidae, especially of the genus Anas and allied genera, characterized by abroad, flat bill, short legs, and depressed body.
2. the female of this bird, as distinguished from the male. Compare drake ¹.
3. the flesh of this bird, eaten as food.
4. Informal. person; individual:

   He's the queer old duck with the shaved head and walrus mustache.

5. a playing marble, especially one that is not used as a shooter.
6. ducks, (used with a singular verb) British Slang. ducky ².
7. Cricket Slang.
   1. failure of a batsman to score:

      to be out for a duck.

   2. a player's score of zero: Compare goose egg ( def 1 ).

      to be bowled for a duck.

duck

²

[ duhk ]

verb (used without object)

1. to stoop or bend suddenly; bob.

   Synonyms: dodge, bow

2. to avoid or evade a blow, unpleasant task, etc.; dodge.
3. to plunge the whole body or the head momentarily under water.

   Synonyms: souse, dip, dive

4. Cards Informal. to play a card lower than the card led.

verb (used with object)

1. to lower suddenly:

   Duck your head going through that low doorway.

2. to avoid or evade (a blow, unpleasant task, etc.); dodge: to duck an embarrassing question.

   to duck a hard right;

   to duck an embarrassing question.

3. to plunge or dip in water momentarily.
4. Cards Informal. to play a card lower than (the card led).

noun

1. an act or instance of ducking.

duck

³

[ duhk ]

noun

1. a heavy, plain-weave cotton fabric for tents, clothing, bags, etc., in any of various weights and widths.
2. ducks, (used with a plural verb) slacks or trousers made of this material.

duck

⁴

[ duhk ]

noun

1. DUKW.

duck

¹

/ dʌk /

noun

1. a heavy cotton fabric of plain weave, used for clothing, tents, etc See also ducks

duck

²

/ dʌk /

noun

1. any of various small aquatic birds of the family Anatidae, typically having short legs, webbed feet, and a broad blunt bill: order Anseriformes
2. the flesh of this bird, used as food
3. the female of such a bird, as opposed to the male (drake)
4. any other bird of the family Anatidae, including geese, and swans
5. informal.
   Alsoducks dear or darling: used as a term of endearment or of general address See also ducky
6. informal.
   a person, esp one regarded as odd or endearing
7. cricket a score of nothing by a batsman
8. like water off a duck's back informal.
   without effect
9. take to something like a duck to water informal.
   to become adept at or attracted to something very quickly

duck

³

/ dʌk /

verb

1. to move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away, esp so as to escape observation or evade a blow
2. to submerge or plunge suddenly and often briefly under water
3. informal.
   whenintr, often foll by out to dodge or escape (a person, duty, etc)
4. intr bridge to play a low card when possessing a higher one rather than try to win a trick

noun

1. the act or an instance of ducking

duck

⁴

/ dʌk /

noun

1. an amphibious vehicle used in World War II

Derived Forms

• ˈducker, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of duck¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English duk, doke, Old English dūce “diver, duck”; akin to duck ²

Origin of duck²

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English duken, douken; cognate with German tauchen “to dive,” ducken “to duck”

Origin of duck³

First recorded in 1630–40; from Dutch doek “cloth”; cognate with German Tuch

Origin of duck⁴

An Americanism dating back to 1940–45; by alteration

Word History and Origins

Origin of duck¹

C17: from Middle Dutch doek; related to Old High German tuoh cloth

Origin of duck²

Old English dūce duck, diver; related to duck ²

Origin of duck³

C14: related to Old High German tūhhan to dive, Middle Dutch dūken

Origin of duck⁴

C20: from code name DUKW

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. water off a duck's back, something that has little or no effect:

   Our criticisms of his talk rolled off him like water off a duck's back.

More idioms and phrases containing duck

• dead duck
• get one's ducks in a row
• lame duck
• like water off a duck's back
• sitting duck
• take to (like a duck to water)
• ugly duckling

Example Sentences

Shipyard workers hammered away the last supporting "shores" and wedges, then ducked and dashed for cover as the huge vessel slid above their heads in a spectacular sideways launch into the River Ouse.

From BBC

That means one more bad season would be his last season, which means he would become a lame duck.

From Los Angeles Times

Every great chef I've worked with has had their own unique duck dish, which has always been a standout menu item at those restaurants.

From Salon

"The US at this COP is not just a lame duck, it's a dead duck," said Prof Richard Klein of the Stockholm Environment Institute, an expert on climate change policy.

From BBC

This included showing footage of them driving into Salisbury, handing a boy bread to feed the ducks, having a drink in The Mill pub and heading to Zizzi restaurant.

From BBC

Related Words

• bend
• bow
• crouch
• dive
• dodge
• elude
• escape
• evade
• shun
• sidestep