Definition of 'canard'

Word Frequency

canard

(kænɑːʳd , US kənɑːrd )

Word forms: plural canards

countable noun

A canard is an idea or a piece of information that is false, especially one that is spread deliberately in order to harm someone or their work.

The charge that Harding was a political stooge may be a canard.

Word Frequency

canard in British

(kæˈnɑːd , French kanar)

noun

a false report; rumour or hoax

an aircraft in which the tailplane is mounted in front of the wing

Word origin of 'canard'

C19: from French: a duck, hoax, from Old French caner to quack, of imitative origin

Word Frequency

canard in American

(kəˈnɑrd ; kənärdˈ)

noun

a false, esp. malicious, report that has been fabricated with the intention of doing harm

an airplane whose horizontal stabilizer is located forward of the wing or wings

the horizontal control and stabilizing surfaces in such an aircraft

Word origin of 'canard'

Fr, a duck, hoax; prob. < can, echoic for duck's quack + -ard, -ard; short for (vendre) un canard (à moitié), lit., (to half-sell) a duck, i.e., to cheat

Example sentences containing 'canard'

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A particularly delicious terrine de foie de canard frais had barely been touched. Armstrong, Campbell MAMBO (1991)

Word Lists

Types of Aircraft

Trends of 'canard'

Used Rarely. canard is in the lower 50% of commonly used words in the Collins dictionary

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Nearby words of 'canard'

Source

Definition of canard from the Collins English Dictionary

Must

Must is used to express obligation, give orders and give advice. It can only be used for present and future reference. When the past is involved, you use have to. Must is used: to express obligati...