noun.
A diving inclination of the head.
noun.
A strong linen fabric simply woven without twill, lighter than canvas, and used for small sails, sails for pleasure-boats, and for men's wear. Duck is usually white or unbleached, but is sometimes made in plain colors.
noun.
A cotton fabric sometimes considered the second grade, for strength and durability, after double-warp (which see, under warp).
noun.
A sweetheart; a darling: a word of endearment, fondness, or admiration. It is sometimes also applied to things: as, a duck of a bonnet.
To plunge the head or the whole body into water and immediately withdraw; make a dip.
To nod or bob the head suddenly; bow.
Hence To give way; yield; cringe.
To dip or plunge in water and immediately withdraw: as, to duck a witch or a scold.
To lower or bend down suddenly, as in dodging a missile or an obstacle, or in saluting awkwardly: as, to duck the head.
In bridge, to lead a suit from the dealer or the dummy hand, and make no attempt to win the trick third hand, even when able to do so. See underplay.
noun.
In cricket, no score; zero: short for duck's-egg (which see).
noun.
A lamellirostral natatorial bird of the family Anatidœ and subfamily Anatinœ or Fuligulinœ (which see).
noun.
The female duck, as distinguished from the male, or drake (which see).
noun.
Some webfooted bird likened to or mistaken for a duck: as, the cobbler's-awl duck (that is, the avoset).
noun.
One of the stones used in playing the game of duck on drake.
noun.
The velvet scoter.
noun.
The surf-scoter.
noun.
The ruddy duck.
noun.
The female mallard.
noun.
The female pintail.
noun.
The harlequin.
noun.
The hooded merganser. Also called water-pheasant.
noun.
Specifically— The wood-duck (which see). See Aix.
noun.
The garganey or summer tcal, Querquedula circia.
noun.
Hence— To handle or use a thing recklessly; scatter; squander; throw into confusion: with with or of.
noun.
The wood-duck or summer duck, which breeds in trees.
noun.
The hooded merganser: so called from breeding in trees.