Etymology tree
Proto-Germanic *dūkaną
Proto-West Germanic *dūkan
Old English *dūcan
Middle English ducken
English duck
From Middle English ducken, duken, douken (“to duck, plunge under water, submerge”), from Old English *dūcan (“to dip, dive, duck”), from Proto-West Germanic *dūkan, from Proto-Germanic *dūkaną (“to dip, dive, bend down, stoop, duck”).
Cognates
Related to Scots dulk (“to duck”), Middle Dutch ducken (“to duck”), Low German ducken (“to duck”), German ducken (“to duck”), Danish dukke, dykke (“to dive”). Related also to Scots dook, douk (“to bathe, drench, soak, baptise”), West Frisian dûke (“to plunge, dive”), Dutch duiken (“to dive, plunge, duck”), Low German duken (“to duck, dive, stoop”), German tauchen (“to dive, plunge, immerse, duck”), Swedish dyka (“to dive, submerge”).
Meanings
A cave passage containing water with low, or no, airspace.
Etymology tree
Proto-Germanic *dūkaną
Proto-West Germanic *dūkan
Old English *dūcan
Middle English ducken
English duck
From Middle English ducken, duken, douken (“to duck, plunge under water, submerge”), from Old English *dūcan (“to dip, dive, duck”), from Proto-West Germanic *dūkan, from Proto-Germanic *dūkaną (“to dip, dive, bend down, stoop, duck”).
Cognates
Related to Scots dulk (“to duck”), Middle Dutch ducken (“to duck”), Low German ducken (“to duck”), German ducken (“to duck”), Danish dukke, dykke (“to dive”). Related also to Scots dook, douk (“to bathe, drench, soak, baptise”), West Frisian dûke (“to plunge, dive”), Dutch duiken (“to dive, plunge, duck”), Low German duken (“to duck, dive, stoop”), German tauchen (“to dive, plunge, immerse, duck”), Swedish dyka (“to dive, submerge”).
Meanings
(transitive) To quickly lower (the head or body), often in order to prevent it from being struck by something.
As some raw youth in country bred,
To arms by thirst of honour led,
When at a skirmish first he hears
The bullets whistling round his ears,
Will duck his head aside c. 1729, Jonathan Swift, To Dr. Delany on the Libels Written Against Him:
Rimmer ducked his body low into his chair, so just his head remained above the table top, and peered past the backs of the examinees in front of him, waiting for the adjudicator to make his move. 1989, Grant Naylor, Red Dwarf: Infinity Welcomes Careful Drivers:
(transitive) To lower (something) into water; to thrust or plunge under liquid and suddenly withdraw.
Adams after ducking the Squire tvvice or thrice leaped out of the Tub, […] 1742, Henry Fielding, “A Scene of Roasting Very Nicely Adapted to the Present Taste and Times”, in The History of the Adventures of Joseph Andrews, and of His Friend Mr. Abraham Adams. […], volume II, London: […] A[ndrew] Millar, […], →OCLC, book III, page 122:
(intransitive) To go under the surface of water and immediately reappear; to plunge one's head into water or other liquid.
[…]In Tiber ducking thrice, by break of day[…] 1693, Aulus Persius Flaccus, John Dryden, transl., “[The Satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus.] The Satyr”, in The Satires of Decimus Junius Juvenalis. Translated into English Verse. […] Together with the Satires of Aulus Persius Flaccus. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson […], →OCLC, page 22:
(intransitive) To bow.
The Learned pate / Duckes to the Golden Foole. c. 1605–1608 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Tymon of Athens”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act IV, scene iii], page 90, column 2:
(figuratively, transitive) To evade doing something, especially something considered a responsibility.
Victorian women choosing to duck the demands of domestic life to spend their time doing something they enjoyed is hardly a novel idea. 2018 July 21, Kathryn Hughes, “The strange cult of Emily Brontë and the 'hot mess' of Wuthering Heights”, in The Guardian:
But pressed by Labour's Marsha de Cordov in the House of Commons on June 29, on "whether he plans to reduce the total number of ticket offices", Merriman ducked the question but confirmed that the Government wants to close ticket offices. 2023 July 12, Mel Holley, “Network News: RDG presses ahead with ticket office closure plan”, in RAIL, number 987, page 7:
That was the moment, but Senate Republicans ducked it. 2024 January 19, Jonathan Freedland, “There is still a way to stop Donald Trump – but time is running out”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:
(transitive) To lower the volume of (a sound) so that other sounds in the mix can be heard more clearly.
The music is ducked under the voice. 2007, Alexander U. Case, Sound FX: unlocking the creative potential of recording studio effects, page 183:
(colloquial, intransitive) To enter a place for a short moment.
I'm just going to duck into the loo for a minute; can you hold my bag?
Forms
Spelling
Features
Labels
Source
ducking
Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part
lexicographic
ducks
Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres
lexicographic
ducked
Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part
lexicographic
ducked
Tense=Past
lexicographic
Coordinates
hit the deck (to lower the head or body to prevent it from being struck)
duck down (to lower the head) · dunk (to lower into the water) · dip (to lower into the water) · dip (to lower in order to prevent it from being struck by something)
Translations (118)
uk порина́ти (to lower into the water) · pt esquivar (to try to evade doing something) · gl alapar (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · da undvige (to try to evade doing something) · sl skloniti se (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · id merunduk (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · gl deludir (to try to evade doing something) · fi kastaa (to lower into the water) · gl apachocarse (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · gl querquenarse (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · sh izbjegávati (to try to evade doing something) · de ducken (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · ast calumbar (to lower into the water) · gl anicarse (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · gl anesgarse (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · gl escudir (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · uk ухиля́ти (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · gl escudir (to try to evade doing something) · ru окуна́ть (to lower into the water) · es evadir (to try to evade doing something) · gl anasarse (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · eu saihestu (to try to evade doing something) · ca ajupir-se (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · el σκύβω (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · sco dook (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · ru пригиба́ться (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · gl mergullar (to lower into the water) · eu uzkurtu (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · uk зану́рювати (to lower into the water) · es sumergir (to lower into the water) · es hundir (to lower into the water) · gl arrediar (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · vi cúi (đầu) (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · es agacharse (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · da dukke (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · qu chapuy (to lower into the water) · es esconderse (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · sv ducka (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · ga tum (to lower into the water) · bg гмуркам се (to lower into the water) · mi taurumarumaki (to lower into the water) · bg потапям се (to lower into the water) · sv ducka (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · gl amoricar (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · sco dook (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · es eludir (to try to evade doing something) · uk загли́блювати (to lower into the water) · es sumergirse (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · es esquivar (to try to evade doing something) · pl schylić (with się) (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · fr esquiver (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · ru пригну́ть (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · gl acachouparse (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · gd tum (to lower into the water) · ast enclicar (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · pt mergulhar (to lower into the water) · da dukke (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · pt abaixar-se (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · mi kōpiro (to lower into the water) · gd crùb (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · ro ghemui (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · sh избјега́вати (to try to evade doing something) · ru пригну́ться (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · vi ngụp (to lower into the water) · fi lusmuta (to try to evade doing something) · bg наве́ждам се (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · nl duiken (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · pt abaixar (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · cs sehnout se (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · ast baxase (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · gl encrequenarse (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · da smyge uden om (to try to evade doing something) · el κάνω πατητή (to lower into the water) · gd seachain (to try to evade doing something) · id merunduk (to lower into the water) · wa houwer (to try to evade doing something) · ru окуну́ть (to lower into the water) · gl evanecer (to try to evade doing something) · fi kumartaa nopeasti (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · vi trốn (to try to evade doing something) · bg избягвам (to try to evade doing something) · ast somorguiar (to lower into the water) · fi luistaa (to try to evade doing something) · fr esquiver (to try to evade doing something) · fr baisser (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · id merunduk (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · sh sàgnuti se (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · vi dìm (xuống nước) (to lower into the water) · da dykke (to lower into the water) · pt agachar-se (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · ga seachain (to try to evade doing something) · sh prignuti se (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · pt agachar (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · sco dook (to lower into the water) · tr eğilmek (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · fr plonger (to lower into the water) · de ausweichen (to try to evade doing something) · eu makurtu (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · cs sehnout (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · id menghindar (to try to evade doing something) · cs ponořit (to lower into the water) · cs vyhnout se (to try to evade doing something) · uk порина́ти (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · fi kumartua nopeasti (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · gl engurbiñarse (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · ast gachar (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · gl esquipar (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · de sich ducken (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · de sich schnell bücken (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · gl abaixarse (to quickly lower the head or body (intransitive)) · gl refuxir (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · vi cúi (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · fi laistaa (to try to evade doing something) · ru пригиба́ть (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · mi karo (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · de untertauchen (to lower into the water) · sl skloniti (to quickly lower the head (transitive)) · sh sagnuti se (to quickly lower the head (transitive))
Etymology tree
Proto-Germanic *dūkaną
Proto-West Germanic *dūkan
Old English dū̆ce
Middle English doke
English duck
From Middle English doke, ducke, dukke, dokke, douke, duke, from Old English duce, dūce (“duck”, literally “dipper, diver, ducker”), from Old English *dūcan (“to dip, dive, duck”), from Proto-West Germanic *dūkan, from Proto-Germanic *dūkaną (“to dive, bend down”). See verb above.
Cognates
Cognate with Scots duik, duke, dook (“duck”), Danish dukand, dykand (“sea-duck”), Swedish dykfågel (“a diver, diving bird, plungeon”), Dutch duiker (“diving bird, loon”, literally “diver, dipper, plunger”), German Low German Düker (“diving bird, loon”, literally “diver”), German Taucher (“diving bird, loon, grebe”, literally “diver, plunger”).
For the meaning development compare Russian ныро́к (nyrók, “pochard”) (< ныря́ть (nyrjátʹ, “to dive”)).
Meanings
(countable, uncountable) Any of certain aquatic birds of the family Anatidae, having a flat bill and webbed feet, distinguished from swans and geese by generally being smaller and shorter-necked.
Matsumoto Castle exhibits the architecture of both war and peace, from its steep wooden stairs, hidden inner levels and archer’s perches to the moon-viewing room added in 1630, which also offers a vantage point for viewing the brocaded carps and ducks residing in the castle moat. 2023 May 18, David McElhenney, “13 of Japan’s best castles”, in CNN:
The payment processor’s layoffs and the curious incident of the duck were first reported by Business Insider. 2025 January 23, John Towfighi, “Stripe accidentally sends image of cartoon duck to laid-off employees”, in CNN:
(countable, uncountable) Specifically, an adult female duck; contrasted with drake and with duckling.
(uncountable) The flesh of a duck used as food.
(countable, uncountable) A batsman's score of zero after getting out. (Short for duck's egg.)
(countable, slang, uncountable) A playing card with the rank of two.
(abbreviation, alt-of, countable, ellipsis, uncountable) Ellipsis of architectural duck; a building intentionally constructed in the shape of an everyday object to which it is related.
Love them or hate them, ducks have a light-hearted presence in our architectural history. 2017 July 8, Syed, Sabrina, ArchDaily:
A luncheonette in the shape of a coffee cup is particularly conspicuous, as is intended of an architectural duck or folly.
Today, “ducks” continue to crop up across America and beyond, but they are no longer relegated to strips and roadsides alone; in many cases, they’ve entered the tight-knit landscape of cities ... 2019 June 10, Gotthardt, Alexxa, “The Quirky, Endearing Tradition of “Duck” Architecture”, in artsy.net:
In Las Vegas, Ducks thrive because resorts often transform themselves into oversized symbols of the fantasy they promise. 2025 September 30, Duck Duck Shed:
The Big Duck has influenced the world of architecture; any building that is shaped like its product is called a ‘duck’. 2007 February 21, Cynthia Blair, “It Happened on Long Island: 1988—Suffolk County Adopts the Big Duck”, in Newsday:
(countable, uncountable) A marble to be shot at with another marble (the shooter) in children's games.
(US, countable, uncountable) A cairn used to mark a trail.
(countable, uncountable) One of the weights used to hold a spline in place for the purpose of drawing a curve.
(countable, dated, slang, uncountable) Synonym of lame duck (“one who cannot fulfil their contracts”).
(countable, uncountable) A long-necked medical urinal for men; a bed urinal.
(UK, countable, obsolete, slang, uncountable) A faggot; a meatball made from offal.
(US, countable, slang, uncountable) Synonym of bitch (“a man forced or coerced into a homosexual relationship, especially in prison”).
The more passive males are subjected to physical violence. I was subjected to being what they call a punk or a duck, which is someone else's power trip, that's all. 1986 April 19, Michael Rathbone, “Tell Someone”, in Gay Community News, page 4:
ttj embaate class 9 (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · duu aq (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · wa cane (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · cy hwyaden (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ain コペチャ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ks بَطُخ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · evn мудыги (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · mfe kanar (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ne हाँस (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · yi קאַטשקע (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · alt ӧртӧк (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · nl vrouwtjeseend (female duck) · kn ಬಾತು (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · de Antn (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · bg па́ток (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gl eideiro (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gv laagh (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ast coría (female duck) · ja 家鴨 (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · nds Eunt (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ru у́тка (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · zza werdeg (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · mg vorombazàha (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · fo bøga (female duck) · eu ahate (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · da and (female duck) · fi sorsa (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · aho 𑜆𑜢𑜄𑜫 (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · grc νῆττα (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · af eendvleis (flesh of a duck used as food) · rm anda (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · kac hkaipyek (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ps هېلۍ (flesh of a duck used as food) · vec ànara (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · szl kacka (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · mr बदक (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · grc νῆσσα (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · dlg кус (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gld гаса (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · evn ники (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · my ဘဲ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · uk ка́чка (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · eu ahateki (flesh of a duck used as food) · nrf cannard (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · za bit (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · goh enita (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · wym ȧnt (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · az ördək (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · tl itik (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · mk патка (female duck) · osx anud (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · blt ꪹꪜꪸꪒ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · de Ante (female duck) · gl sixón (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · fa بت (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · fur raze (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · tpi pato (flesh of a duck used as food) · tli gáaxw (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · bg па́тица (female duck) · syl ꠀꠡ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sk kačica (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ren hara (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · uk ка́чка (female duck) · as হাঁহ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sl raca (flesh of a duck used as food) · ps هېلۍ (female duck) · sat ᱜᱮᱰᱮ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · bg патешко месо (flesh of a duck used as food) · an pato (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · kac pyek (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sco deuk (female duck) · ace iték (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ksw ထိၣ်ဒ့ၣ် (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · he ברווז \ בַּרְוָז (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · kk үйрек (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · io anadino (female duck) · ky өрдөк (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gd lach (female duck) · bn পাতিহাঁস (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ja 鴨 (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ota اوردك (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · cs kachna (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gl pato (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · kxd itik (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · kmr bet (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · bn হাঁস (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · mnw အဒါ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · lez пӏатӏ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sah кус (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · fi sorsa (flesh of a duck used as food) · sa कादम्ब (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · da and (flesh of a duck used as food) · mt papra (female duck) · hu kacsa (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sh па̏тка (female duck) · eo anaso (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · vec anara (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · zu idada (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ba өйрәк (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · oc anet (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · or ବତକ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ii ꀆ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · qu wacwa (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gug ype (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ru нуль (a batsman's score of zero after getting out) · is aliönd (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · fa اردک (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ny bakha (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · vo jidök (female duck) · kqr titik (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · hi बत्तख़ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · fa مرغابی (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gl lavanco (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · xh ikewu (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · vi thịt vịt (flesh of a duck used as food) · sh па́так (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gl singüeiro (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · jv bèbèk (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ta வாத்து (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · es pata (female duck) · khb ᦵᦔᧆ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · fr canard femelle (female duck) · kaw itik (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · dgr detʼǫ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · hsb kačka (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · mel itiek (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · cjm ꨀꨕꨩ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · unm kwikwinkëm (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · se suorsá (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sce yazi (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · vi vịt (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · fo dunnubøga (female duck) · kca-eas васәӽ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · rom ratsoy (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gu બતક (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · lmo aneda (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · rcf kanar (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · fi sorsa (slang: playing card two) · fa بط (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · wyi bathmu (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · oc rit (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · mi rakiraki (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · mn ᠨᠤᠭᠤᠰᠤ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · cjs ӧртек (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sk kačka (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sva წყა̈რშინდ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sg bokôo (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · shy tabrikt (female duck) · fi naarassorsa (female duck) · mwl parro (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · fa مرغابی (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · vo dök (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · kha han (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ru ка́чка (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · cr ᓰᓰᑉ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ro rață (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ab а-кәата (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · mk патор (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · fr canard (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · nl eend (female duck) · arc ܒܛܐ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · wuu 鴨子 /鸭子 (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · lld aucia (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · stq Oande (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gl chilro (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · kn ಬಾತುಕೋಳಿ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ru се́лезень (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · la anas (female duck) · vo dökülablöted (flesh of a duck used as food) · pt pata (female duck) · crk ᓰᓰᑊ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sw bata (a batsman's score of zero after getting out) · zh 鴨 /鸭 (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · mvv utik (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · lo ເປັດ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · eo anasino (female duck) · kpy ӈавʼгаллы (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · chy šé'še (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · roa-opt pato (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sne itit (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · es parro (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · pox pailă (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ee kpakpaxe (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · cs kachní (flesh of a duck used as food) · mt papra (flesh of a duck used as food) · jje 올히 (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · pa ਬਤਖ਼ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · kw hos (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sh pȁtka (female duck) · av ордек (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · yo pẹ́pẹ́yẹ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · eve нэкичэн (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · tyv өдүрек (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · hi बत्तक (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · th เป็ด (flesh of a duck used as food) · hi बतख़ (flesh of a duck used as food) · sco deuk (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · cy hwyad (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · fr canard (flesh of a duck used as food) · ms bebek (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ms daging itik (flesh of a duck used as food) · lt anti̇́ena (flesh of a duck used as food) · duo papa (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · es pato (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · oc rita (female duck) · bh बत्तख (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · km ទា (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · pl kaczka (female duck) · kbd псыджэд (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ood pa꞉do (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ps پتخه (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ltg peile (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sh pačetina (flesh of a duck used as food) · nb and (female duck) · it anatra (flesh of a duck used as food) · rup papã (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · de weibliche Ente (female duck) · bsk baghla (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ar بط (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · bo ངང་པ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · es ánade (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · fi ankka (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sk kačka (female duck) · de Ante (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · mk патка (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ca ànec (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · wa canård (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · de Ant (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · de Antn (flesh of a duck used as food) · ti ደርሆ ማይ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gd tunnag (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · la anas (flesh of a duck used as food) · pt pata (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · kxd daging itik (flesh of a duck used as food) · fi naarasankka (female duck) · sv and (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gag ördek (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · tg мурғобӣ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · kmr werdek (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · de Ente (flesh of a duck used as food) · sq rikë (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · roa-opt ãade (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · nap natrella (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · hy բադ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · de Ant (female duck) · tk ördek (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · is önd (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ccc pato (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ang ened (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ast coríu (flesh of a duck used as food) · mdf яксярга (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · pt pato (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ccp 𑄦𑄌𑄴 (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · bsk phari (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ru дво́йка (slang: playing card two) · ps هېلۍ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · wo kanaara gi (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sl racman (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · nrf cannotte (female duck) · ast patu (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · akz chooskani (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · yue 鴨 /鸭 (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · vot sorsõ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · cr ᔒᔒᑉ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · myv шенже (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · de Ant (flesh of a duck used as food) · osa míɣa (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · af eend (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · slr bad (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · myv яксярго (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ug ئۆردەك (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · wa canård (flesh of a duck used as food) · kxd itik (flesh of a duck used as food) · ps پتخه (flesh of a duck used as food) · vi vịt cái (female duck) · nn hoand (female duck) · bdr itik (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sgs pīlė (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · mnc ᠨᡳᠶᡝᡥᡝ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · be ка́чка (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · cv кӑвакал (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · dv އަސްދޫނި (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · da and (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ar بطة (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ady псычэт (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · akl itik (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · uk ка́чка (flesh of a duck used as food) · tab уьрдег (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gv thunnag (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · csb kaczka (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · cho okfochush (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ast pata (female duck) · se vuojaš (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · kum бабиш (female duck) · kum оьрдек (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · el νήσσα (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · vo jidökül (female duck) · ms itik (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · fi ankka (flesh of a duck used as food) · ba үрҙәк (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ps پتخه (female duck) · syl ꠀꠣꠁ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · th เป็ด (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ja カモ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ro rățoi (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · om daakkiyyee (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · el πάπια (flesh of a duck used as food) · mhr лудо (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ar بَطّ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ru у́тка (female duck) · pac ata (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ast coríu (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ce бад (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ro rață (female duck) · ia anate (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · es carraco (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · cs dvojka (slang: playing card two) · tt үрдәк (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · moe shiship (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · hy բադ (female duck) · ko 오리 (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · lkt maǧáksiča (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · nn and (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · cs kachna (flesh of a duck used as food) · kjh ӧртек (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · rup bibã (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sl racak (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · am ዳክየ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gd lach (flesh of a duck used as food) · wo xànxet (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gl anitre (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · kum батбат (female duck) · ro rață (flesh of a duck used as food) · de Entenweibchen (female duck) · pl kaczka (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ru у́тка (flesh of a duck used as food) · nb hunnand (female duck) · te బాతు (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · cst sá̄kani (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sh pȁtka (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ga lacha (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · nah canauhtli (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · tl bibi (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · krc бабуш (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · lt antis (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sd بَدَڪَ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sh pátak (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ast curru (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · uk качур (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · fo dunna (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · el πάπια (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · vo dökablöted (flesh of a duck used as food) · lb Int (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · vi vịt (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · chr ᎧᏬᏄ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · fy ein (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · es cero (a batsman's score of zero after getting out) · cs kačka (female duck) · sv and (flesh of a duck used as food) · kut kyaq̓ⱡa (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · si තාරාවි (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · kaw bebek (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · crh papiy (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · xmf კვატა (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · su meri (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · nds Aant (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · hy բադ (flesh of a duck used as food) · st pidipidi (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · rom ratsa (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · mrj лыдывлӓ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sl raca (female duck) · hi बतख (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · dsb kacka (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · de Ante (flesh of a duck used as food) · yai мурғоби (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · vi ván trắng (a batsman's score of zero after getting out) · tpi pato (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · kmr miravî (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · niv иу (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · syl ꠀꠃꠀ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · so bolobolo (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · xmf სინდი (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · mzn سیکا (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sl raca (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · pcc bidt (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ood pahtho (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · pt pato (flesh of a duck used as food) · io anado (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ast patu (flesh of a duck used as food) · te బాతు (female duck) · nds Oont (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · el πάπια (female duck) · ha agwagwa (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · li aenj (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · cs kačena (female duck) · ks بَطٕچ (female duck) · sva მჷლც (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · yue 鴨 /鸭 (flesh of a duck used as food) · sq rosë (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · fa مرغابی (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · es corío (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gd tunnag (flesh of a duck used as food) · mn нугас (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · fr cane (female duck) · sc anadi (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · oc guita (female duck) · stq Oante (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · kum бабиш (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · nl wijfjeseend (female duck) · frr En (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · xal нуһсн (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · niv пыйӈа (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · lki بەت (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · lld anera (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · scn ànatra (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · vep sorz (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · yi קאַטשקע (female duck) · shn ပဵတ်း (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · it anatra (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · hi बतख (female duck) · mt papra (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gl urnigo (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · kum оьрдек (female duck) · zh 鴨 /鸭 (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ckt гатԓе (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sw bata (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · mww os (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sl otva (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ast curra (female duck) · es corco (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · de Antn (female duck) · nl eend (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · eu paita (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ka იხვი (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gl curro (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sl utva (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ht kanna (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gd tunnag (female duck) · oc aneda (female duck) · mk пајка (female duck) · bbl იხვ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ium aapv (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ml താറാവ് (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · es pato (flesh of a duck used as food) · mg angàka (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gl parrulo (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · uz oʻrdak (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · zh язы (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · olo sorzu (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · fo dunna (flesh of a duck used as food) · sco deuk (flesh of a duck used as food) · sh па̏тка (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ar بَطَّة (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ur بطخ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ar بَطَّة (female duck) · dar бятӏ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · bo ཀ་རན་ད (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · msk itik (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · cs kachna (female duck) · de Ente (female duck) · hi बत्तख (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · roa-opt pata (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ady псыкьэт (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ja アヒル (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · de Ente (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · nn and (female duck) · zh 鴨子 /鸭子 (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · bg па́тка (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ga tonóg (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · id bebek (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · rup patã (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · la anas (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · lv pīle (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ln libáta (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · udm ӵӧж (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · bua нугаһан (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sv anka (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · gd lach (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · et part (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ckt гаԓгат (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · sv anka (flesh of a duck used as food) · fo ont (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · nb and (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · apw naalʼeełí (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · hi बतख़ (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · tr ördek (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · yi ענטל (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · yi ענטע (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · af nulletjie (a batsman's score of zero after getting out) · bg па́тица (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · nv naalʼeełí (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · hi बत्तख़ (female duck) · mg kanakàna (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · skb ปิ๊ด (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · br houad (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · luy eyoyo (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · ckb مِراوی (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · lo ເປັດ (flesh of a duck used as food) · sm pato (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae) · lez уьрдег (aquatic bird of the family Anatidae)
From Dutch doek, from Middle Dutch doeck, doec (“linen cloth”), from Old Dutch *dōc, from Proto-West Germanic *dōk, from Proto-Germanic *dōkaz (“cloth, rag”), from Proto-Indo-European *dwōg-, *dwōk-. Cognate with German Tuch (“cloth”), Swedish duk (“cloth, canvas”), Icelandic dúkur (“cloth, fabric”). Doublet of doek.
Meanings
(countable, uncountable) A tightly-woven cotton or linen fabric, often used as sailcloth.
Near-synonym: sailduck
He was dressed in a Jaeger vest—a pair of blue duck trousers, fastened round the waist with a plaited leather belt. 1912, Katherine Mansfield, “The Woman At The Store”, in Selected Short Stories:
(countable, in-plural, uncountable) Trousers made of such material.
And they would go up and find old Allington, in white ducks, standing in the fringe of long grasses and cow-parsley on the other edge of the island, looking to his poultry or his rabbits. 1918 March, Rebecca West [pseudonym; Cicily Isabel Fairfield], chapter III, in The Return of the Soldier, 1st American edition, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., published 1918, →OCLC, pages 67–68:
A native servant emerged, anonymous in his white ducks and red fez, to say My Player was wanted on the telephone. 1954, Doris Lessing, A Proper Marriage, HarperPerennial, published 1995, page 74:
Potteries dialect, Black Country dialect and dialects of the former territory of Mercia (central England). Compare Danish dukke (“doll”), Swedish docka (“baby; doll”), dialectal English doxy (“sweetheart”).
Meanings
A term of endearment; pet; darling.
M[other]: […] [W]e have your name on the bottom. What’s that say? R[ebecca]: P-A-me. M: P-A-me. Ha! (Yeah) That says B-E-C-C-A Becca. You’re a funny duck. 1992, David Nunan, “[Interaction analysis] Questions and tasks”, in Research Methods in Language Learning (Cambridge Language Teaching Library), Cambridge, Cambridgeshire: Cambridge University Press, →ISBN, page 178:
[…]and hold-faſt is the onely Dogge: My Ducke[…] 1599 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Life of Henry the Fift”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene iii], page 75, column 2:
An affectionate (sometimes slightly patronising or jocular) term for a person, often (in collocations old duck and dear old duck) an elderly woman.
Even if this dear old duck didn’t take off before the real fun began, she would be going to beddy-byes any time from now. 1960, J. E. Macdonnell, Don't Gimme the Ships, Melbourne: Horwitz Publications, page 143:
(Midlands) Dear, mate (informal way of addressing a friend or stranger).
Denominal verb of duck (noun) and ellipsis of rubber duck
Meanings
(transitive) To surreptitiously leave a rubber duck on someone's parked Jeep as an act of kindness (see Jeep ducking).
The couple has gotten messages from people they've ducked saying how happy it made them, and even some saying they might also start ducking. 2020 July 29, Susannah Sudborough, “It may sound quacky, but Jeep ducking is a real thing and it's right here in Taunton”, in Taunton Daily Gazette, Taunton, Massachusetts:
She didn't even notice the duck on her vehicles when she first was ducked in spring. 2022 September 13, Breana Noble, “'World's largest rubber duck' at Detroit auto show celebrates Jeep 'ducking' movement”, in The Detroit News:
She's gone out ducking with friends and family on shopping trips, in hospital parking lots and at Bishop International Airport in Flint, handing out more than 100 of the quackers. 2022 September 13, Breana Noble, “'World's largest rubber duck' at Detroit auto show celebrates Jeep 'ducking' movement”, in The Detroit News, archived from the original on 24 Sep 2022: