duck

1.
n. (pl. same or ducks)
1 a any of various swimming-birds of the family Anatidae, esp. the domesticated form of the mallard or wild duck. b the female of this (opp. DRAKE). c the flesh of a duck as food.
2 Cricket (in full duck's-egg) the score of a batsman dismissed for nought.
3 (also ducks) Brit. colloq. (esp. as a form of address) dear, darling.
Phrases and idioms:
duck-hawk
1 Brit. a marsh-harrier.
2 US a peregrine. ducks and drakes a game of making a flat stone skim along the surface of water. duck's arse sl. a haircut with the hair on the back of the head shaped like a duck's tail. duck soup US sl. an easy task. like a duck to water adapting very readily. like water off a duck's back colloq. (of remonstrances etc.) producing no effect. play ducks and drakes with colloq. squander.
Etymology: OE duce, duce: rel. to DUCK(2)
2.
v. & n.
—v.
1 intr. & tr. plunge, dive, or dip under water and emerge (ducked him in the pond).
2 intr. & tr. bend (the head or the body) quickly to avoid a blow or being seen, or as a bow or curtsy; bob (ducked out of sight; ducked his head under the beam).
3 tr. & intr. colloq. avoid or dodge; withdraw (from) (ducked out of the engagement; ducked the meeting).
4 intr. Bridge lose a trick deliberately by playing a low card.
—n.
1 a quick dip or swim.
2 a quick lowering of the head etc.
Phrases and idioms:
ducking-stool hist. a chair fastened to the end of a pole, which could be plunged into a pond, used formerly for ducking scolds etc.
Derivatives:
ducker n.
Etymology: OE ducan (unrecorded) f. Gmc
3.
n.
1 a strong untwilled linen or cotton fabric used for small sails and the outer clothing of sailors.
2 (in pl.) trousers made of this (white ducks).
Etymology: MDu. doek, of unkn. orig.
4.
n. colloq. an amphibious landing-craft.
Etymology: DUKW, its official designation