duck
1 (dŭk)
[Middle English doke, from Old English dūce, possibly from * dūcan, to dive; see duck2.]
noun
- Any of various wild or domesticated swimming birds of the family Anatidae, characteristically having a broad, flat bill, short legs, and webbed feet.
- A female duck.
- The flesh of a duck used as food.
- Slang A person, especially one thought of as peculiar.
- Chiefly British A dear. Often used in the plural with a singular verb.
duck
2 (dŭk)
[Middle English douken, to dive, possibly from Old English* dūcanMiddle Low German and Middle Dutch dūken.]
verb: ducked, duck·ing, ducks.
transitive verb
- To lower quickly, especially so as to avoid something: ducked his head as the ball came toward him.
- To evade; dodge: duck responsibility; ducked the reporter's question.
- To push suddenly under water. See synonyms at dip
- Games To deliberately play a card that is lower than (an opponent's card).
intransitive verb
- To lower the head or body.
- To move swiftly, especially so as to escape being seen: ducked behind a bush.
- To submerge the head or body briefly in water.
- To evade a responsibility or obligation. Often used with out: duck out on one's family.
- Games To lose a trick by deliberately playing lower than one's opponent.
noun
- A quick lowering of the head or body.
- A plunge into water.
derivatives
- ducḱer
- noun
duck
3 (dŭk)
[Dutch doek, cloth, from Middle Dutch doec.]
noun
- A durable, closely woven heavy cotton or linen fabric.
- Clothing made of duck, especially white trousers.
duck
4 (dŭk)
[Alteration (influenced by duck1), of DUKW.]
noun
- An amphibious military truck used during World War II.
- An amphibious truck used in emergencies, as to evacuate flood victims.