duck 1 (d?k)n.1. Any of various wild or domesticated waterbirds of the family Anatidae, characteristically having a broad flat bill, short legs, and webbed feet.2. A female duck.3. The flesh of a duck used as food.4. Slang A person, especially one thought of as peculiar.5. often ducks(used with a sing. verb) Chiefly British A dear.[Middle English doke, from Old English d?ce, possibly from *d?can, to dive; see duck2.]duck 2 (d?k)v. ducked, duck·ing, ducks v.tr.1. To lower quickly, especially so as to avoid something: ducked his head as the ball came toward him.2. To evade; dodge: duck responsibility; ducked the reporter’s question.3. To push (a person, for example) suddenly under water.4. In bridge, to deliberately play a card that is lower than (an opponent’s card).v.intr.1. To lower the head or body.2. To move swiftly, especially so as to escape being seen: ducked behind a bush.3. To submerge the head or body briefly in water.4. To evade a responsibility or obligation. Often used with out: duck out on one’s family.5. In bridge, to lose a trick by deliberately playing lower than one’s opponent.n.1. A quick lowering of the head or body.2. A plunge under water.[Middle English douken, to dive, possibly from Old English *d?can; akin to Middle Low German and Middle Dutch d?ken.]duck?er n.duck 3 (d?k)n.1. A durable, closely woven heavy cotton or linen fabric.2. ducks Clothing made of duck, especially white pants.[Dutch doek, cloth, from Middle Dutch doec.]duck 4 (d?k)n.1. An amphibious military truck used during World War II.2. A similar vehicle used for civilian purposes, as to evacuate flood victims or for sightseeing tours. In both senses also called DUKW.[Alteration (influenced by duck) of DUKW.]American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.duck (d?k) n, pl ducks or duck1. (Animals) any of various small aquatic birds of the family Anatidae, typically having short legs, webbed feet, and a broad blunt bill: order Anseriformes2. (Cookery) the flesh of this bird, used as food3. (Zoology) the female of such a bird, as opposed to the male (drake)4. (Animals) any other bird of the family Anatidae, including geese and swans5. informal Also: ducks Brit dear or darling: used as a term of endearment or of general address. See also ducky6. informal a person, esp one regarded as odd or endearing7. (Cricket) cricket a score of nothing by a batsman8. like water off a duck’s back informal without effect9. take to something like a duck to water informal to become adept at or attracted to something very quickly[Old English d?ce duck, diver; related to duck2]duck (d?k) vb1. to move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away, esp so as to escape observation or evade a blow2. to submerge or plunge suddenly and often briefly under water3. informal (when: intr, often foll by out) to dodge or escape (a person, duty, etc)4. (Bridge) (intr) bridge to play a low card when possessing a higher one rather than try to win a tricknthe act or an instance of ducking[C14: related to Old High German t?hhan to dive, Middle Dutch d?ken] ?ducker nduck (d?k) n (Textiles) a heavy cotton fabric of plain weave, used for clothing, tents, etc[C17: from Middle Dutch doek; related to Old High German tuoh cloth]duck (d?k) n (Military) an amphibious vehicle used in World War II[C20: from code name DUKW]Collins English Dictionary ? Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014duck1 (d?k) n., pl. ducks, (esp. collectively for 1, 2 ) duck. 1. any of numerous relatively small and short-necked web-footed swimming birds of the family Anatidae, characterized by a broad, flat bill. 2. the female of this bird, as distinguished from the male. Compare drake. 3. the flesh of this bird, eaten as food. 4. ducks, (used with a sing. v.) Brit. Slang. ducky 2. [before 1000; Middle English duk, doke, Old English d?ce; akin to duck2] duck2 (d?k) v.i. 1. to stoop or bend suddenly; bob. 2. to avoid or evade a blow, unpleasant task, etc.; dodge. 3. to plunge the whole body or the head momentarily under water. v.t. 4. to lower suddenly: Duck your head down! 5. to avoid or evade (a blow, unpleasant task, etc.); dodge. 6. to plunge or dip in water momentarily. n. 7. an act or instance of ducking. [1250?1300; akin to Middle Dutch, Middle Low German d?ken, Old High German t?hhan] duck?er, n. duck3 (d?k) n. 1. a heavy plain-weave cotton fabric for tents, clothing, bags, etc. 2. ducks, (used with a pl. v.) slacks or trousers made of this. [1630?40;