1. Small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
   "The ducks paddled across the pond in a neat row"
    
2. Flesh of a duck (domestic or wild)
   "The chef prepared crispy Peking duck for the banquet"
    
3. A heavy cotton fabric of plain weave; used for clothing and tents
   "The outdoor gear was made of durable duck fabric"
    
4. [Brit, informal] Someone who is loved (used as a term of endearment)
   "My duck, I've missed you so much";
   - beloved, dear, dearest, honey [informal], love, baby [informal], darling, deary [informal], dearie [Brit, informal], sweetheart, sweetie [informal], sugar [N. Amer, informal], hon [informal]
    
5. (cricket) a score of nothing by a batsman
   "The opening batsman was out for a duck's egg";
   - duck's egg [Brit]

1. To move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away
   "Before he could duck, another stone struck him"
    
2. Submerge or plunge suddenly
   "The swimmer ducked under the wave"
    
3. Immerse into a liquid
   "He ducked into the pool";
   - dip, douse
    
4. [informal] Avoid or try to avoid fulfilling, answering, or performing (duties, questions, or issues)
   "The politician ducked the reporter's difficult questions";
   - hedge, fudge, evade, put off, circumvent, parry, elude, skirt, dodge, sidestep, finesse, circumnavigate

Derived forms: ducks, ducking, ducked

Type of: anseriform bird, avoid, cloth, dip, dive, douse, dump, dunk, fabric, lover, material, move, plunge, plunk [informal], poultry, score, souse, textile

Part of: Anatidae, family Anatidae

Encyclopedia: Duck, Stephen