a swimming bird with a short neck, short legs, webbed feet, and a broad flat beak

a female duck, which often has less distinctive or colourful plumage than the male: compare drake¹

chiefly Brit, informal (also in pl, but treated as sing.) an affectionate term of address used esp by a man to a woman

to lower one's head or body suddenly, e.g. to avoid being seen or hit

to thrust (something or somebody) momentarily under water

to lower (e.g. the head), esp quickly as a bow or to avoid being seen or hit

to avoid or evade (something)

duck the issue

to plunge one's head or body under the surface of water

to evade (a duty, question, or responsibility, etc)

in bridge, to play a low card for tactical reasons

a durable usu cotton fabric with a close weave

(in pl) trousers made from this fabric