duck1
  
  n.
 (pl. same or ducks)
  - a waterbird with a broad, blunt bill, short legs, and webbed feet, some kinds of which are domesticated. 
[Family Anatidae: many species.]
 
▸a female duck. Contrasted with drake.
 - a pure white thin-shelled bivalve mollusc found off the Atlantic coasts of America. 
[Genus Anatina.]
 
 
  Phrase
  
    - get 
(or have)
 one's ducks in a row
 N. Amer. informal get (or have) everything organized.  - like water off a duck's back
 referring to a hurtful remark which has no effect.  - take to something like a duck to water
 take to something very readily. 
   
  Etymology
  OE duce, from the Gmc base of duck2 (expressing the notion of ‘diving bird’).
 
  
    
duck2
  
  v.
    - lower the head or body quickly to avoid a blow or missile or so as not to be seen.
 - informal evade (an unwelcome duty).
 - push (someone) under water.
 - Bridge  refrain from playing a winning card on a particular trick for tactical reasons.
 
n.
 a quick lowering of the head.
 
  Phrase
  
    
      - duck and dive
 Brit. use one's ingenuity to deal with or evade a situation. 
    
   
  Derivative
  
  Etymology
  ME: of Gmc origin; rel. to duck1.
 
  
    
duck3
  
  n.
 Cricket  a batsman's score of nought.
 
  Phrase
  
    
      - break one's duck
 Cricket  score the first run of one's innings. 
    
   
  Etymology
  C19: short for duck's egg, used for the figure 0.
 
  
    
duck4
  
  n.
 Brit. informal dear (used as an affectionate form of address).
 
  Etymology
  C16: from duck1.
 
  
    
duck5
  
  n.
 a strong linen or cotton fabric, used chiefly for work clothes and sails. 
▸
(ducks)
 trousers made from duck.
 
  Etymology
  C17: from MDu. doek ‘linen’.