duck
noun
[ dʌk ]
• a waterbird with a broad blunt bill, short legs, webbed feet, and a waddling gait.
• a pure white thin-shelled bivalve mollusc found off the Atlantic coasts of America.
• an amphibious transport vehicle.
• "visitors can board an amphibious duck to explore the city"
Origin:
Old English duce, from the Germanic base of duck2 (expressing the notion of ‘diving bird’).
duck
verb
• lower the head or the body quickly to avoid a blow or missile or so as not to be seen.
• "spectators ducked for cover"
Similar:
bob down,
bend (down),
bow down,
stoop (down),
crouch (down),
squat (down),
hunch down,
hunker down,
sit on one's haunches,
cower,
cringe,
shrink,
huddle,
scooch,
Opposite:
straighten up,
stand,
• push or plunge (someone) under water, either playfully or as a punishment.
• "Rufus grabbed him from behind to duck him under the surface"
• refrain from playing a winning card on a particular trick for tactical reasons.
• "declarer ducked the opening spade lead"
duck
noun
• a quick lowering of the head.
Origin:
Middle English: of Germanic origin; related to Dutch duiken and German tauchen ‘dive, dip, plunge’, also to duck1.
duck
noun
• dear; darling (used as an informal or affectionate form of address, especially among cockneys).
• "it's time you changed, my duck"
Origin:
late 16th century: from duck1.
duck
noun
• a strong linen or cotton fabric, used chiefly for work clothes and sails.
• "cotton duck"
Origin:
mid 17th century: from Middle Dutch doek ‘linen, linen cloth’; related to German Tuch ‘cloth’.
duck
noun
• a batsman's score of nought.
• "he was out for a duck"
Origin:
mid 19th century: short for duck's egg, used for the figure 0 because of its similar outline.
