1fluke1 (fluːk
)
Definitions
noun
- Also called fluea flat bladelike projection at the end of the arm of an anchor
- either of the two lobes of the tail of a whale or related animal
- Also called fluethe barb or barbed head of a harpoon, arrow, etc
Word Origin
C16: perhaps a special use of fluke³ (in the sense: a flounder)
Synonyms
View thesaurus entry
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stroke of luck
accident,
coincidence,
chance occurrence
chance,
stroke,
blessing,
freak,
windfall,
quirk,
lucky break,
serendipity,
quirk of fate
fortuity,
break,
2fluke2 (fluːk)
Definitions
noun
- an accidental stroke of luck
- any chance happening
verb
- (tr) to gain, make, or hit by a fluke
Word Origin
C19: of unknown origin
3fluke3 (fluːk)
Definitions
noun
- any parasitic flatworm, such as the blood fluke and liver fluke, of the classes any parasitic flatworm, such as the blood fluke and liver fluke, of the classes Monogenea and any parasitic flatworm, such as the blood fluke and liver fluke, of the classes and Digenea (formerly united in a single class any parasitic flatworm, such as the blood fluke and liver fluke, of the classes and (formerly united in a single class Trematoda)
- another name for flounder2 (sense 1)
Word Origin
Old English flōc ; related to Old Norse flōki flounder, Old Saxon flaka sole, Old High German flah smooth
