DUCK

Duck

Duck is the common name for a large number of species in the Anatidae family of birds, which also includes swans and geese. The ducks are divided among several subfamilies in the Anatidae family; they do not represent a monophyletic group but a form taxon, since swans and geese are not considered ducks. Ducks are mostly aquatic birds, mostly smaller than the swans and geese, and may be found in both fresh water and sea water.

The above text is a snippet from Wikipedia: Duck
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

duck

Noun

  1. An aquatic bird of the family Anatidae, having a flat bill and webbed feet.
  2. Specifically, an adult female duck; contrasted with drake and with duckling.
  3. The flesh of a duck used as food.
  4. A batsman's score of zero after getting out. (short for duck's egg, since the digit "0" is round like an egg.)
  5. A term of endearment; pet; darling.
    And hold-fast is the only dog, my duck (William Shakespeare - The Life of King Henry the Fifth, Act 2, Scene 3).
  6. Dear, mate (informal way of addressing a friend or stranger).
    Ay up duck, ow'a'tha?
  7. A playing card with the rank of two.
  8. A partly-flooded cave passage with limited air space.
  9. A building intentionally constructed in the shape of an everyday object to which it is related.
    A luncheonette in the shape of a coffee cup is particularly conspicuous, as is intended of an architectural duck or folly.
  10. A marble to be shot at with another marble (the shooter) in children's games.

Noun (etymology 2)

  1. A tightly-woven cotton fabric used as sailcloth.

Verb

  1. To lower the head or body in order to prevent it from being struck by something.
  2. To lower (something) into water; to thrust or plunge under liquid and suddenly withdraw.
  3. To go under the surface of water and immediately reappear; to plunge one's head into water or other liquid.
  4. To lower (the head) in order to prevent it from being struck by something.
  5. To bow.
  6. To evade doing something.
  7. To lower the volume of (a sound) so that other sounds in the mix can be heard more clearly.


The above text is a snippet from Wiktionary: duck
and as such is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

Need help with a clue?
Try your search in the crossword dictionary!