small wild or domesticated web-footed broad-billed swimming bird usually having a depressed body and short legs
"The mallard duck swam gracefully across the pond, displaying its characteristic depressed body and short legs."
(cricket) a score of nothing by a batsman
"The opening batsmen went in for ducks, leaving the team without any runs after just two balls."
flesh of a duck (domestic or wild)
"The roast duck had crispy skin and tender meat that melted in my mouth."
a heavy cotton fabric of plain weave; used for clothing and tents
"The sailor carefully stitched the canvas duck to reinforce the tent's walls against the rain."
An aquatic bird of the family Anatidae, having a flat bill and webbed feet.
"She patted his cheek and whispered, "You're such a good boy, duck.""
A tightly-woven cotton fabric used as sailcloth.
A term of endearment; pet; darling.
In plain English: A duck is a small water bird that swims well and has webbed feet for paddling through ponds and lakes.
"The duck swam gracefully across the pond."
Usage: Use "duck" to refer specifically to an aquatic bird with a flat bill or a type of woven cotton fabric for sails. Do not confuse this noun with the verb form, which describes lowering one's head quickly to avoid being hit.
to move (the head or body) quickly downwards or away
"Before he could duck, another stone struck him"
submerge or plunge suddenly
"She ducked under the low-hanging branch to avoid hitting her head."
To quickly lower the head or body in order to prevent it from being struck by something.
"The baseball player ducked just in time to avoid the foul tip."
In plain English: To duck means to quickly move your head down so you don't get hit by something coming toward you.
"He ducked under the low doorway to avoid hitting his head."
A surname, from nicknames.
"The famous comedian known as Daffy Duck was actually born into a family that adopted his father's nickname as their surname."
The word "duck" comes from Old English *dūcan, which originally meant to dip, dive, or bend down. It traces its roots back through Proto-Germanic to the same basic sense of submerging or stooping.