The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Mole \Mole\, n. [OE. molle, either shortened fr. moldwerp, or
from the root of E. mold soil: cf. D. mol, OD. molworp. See
Moldwarp.]
1. (Zool.) Any insectivore of the family Talpidae. They
have minute eyes and ears, soft fur, and very large and
strong fore feet.
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Note: The common European mole, or moldwarp (Talpa
Europaea), is noted for its extensive burrows. The
common American mole, or shrew mole (Scalops
aquaticus), and star-nosed mole (Condylura cristata)
have similar habits.
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Note: In the Scriptures, the name is applied to two
unindentified animals, perhaps the chameleon and mole
rat.
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2. A plow of peculiar construction, for forming underground
drains. [U.S.]
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3. (fig.)A spy who lives for years an apparently normal life
(to establish a cover) before beginning his spying
activities.
[PJC]
Duck mole. See under Duck.
Golden mole. See Chrysochlore.
Mole cricket (Zool.), an orthopterous insect of the genus
Gryllotalpa, which excavates subterranean galleries, and
throws up mounds of earth resembling those of the mole. It
is said to do damage by injuring the roots of plants. The
common European species (Gryllotalpa vulgaris), and the
American (Gryllotalpa borealis), are the best known.
Mole rat (Zool.), any one of several species of Old World
rodents of the genera Spalax, Georychus, and several
allied genera. They are molelike in appearance and habits,
and their eyes are small or rudimentary.
Mole shrew (Zool.), any one of several species of
short-tailed American shrews of the genus Blarina, esp.
Blarina brevicauda.
Water mole, the duck mole.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Water mole \Wa"ter mole`\ (Zool.)
(a) The shrew mole. See under Shrew.
(b) The duck mole. See under Duck.
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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Duck \Duck\, n. [OE. duke, doke. See Duck, v. t. ]
1. (Zool.) Any bird of the subfamily Anatin[ae], family
Anatid[ae].
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Note: The genera and species are numerous. They are divided
into river ducks and sea ducks. Among the former
are the common domestic duck (Anas boschas); the wood
duck (Aix sponsa); the beautiful mandarin duck of
China (Dendronessa galeriliculata); the Muscovy duck,
originally of South America (Cairina moschata). Among
the sea ducks are the eider, canvasback, scoter, etc.
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2. A sudden inclination of the bead or dropping of the
person, resembling the motion of a duck in water.
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Here be, without duck or nod,
Other trippings to be trod. --Milton.
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Bombay duck (Zool.), a fish. See Bummalo.
Buffel duck, Spirit duck. See Buffel duck.
Duck ant (Zool.), a species of white ant in Jamaica which
builds large nests in trees.
Duck barnacle. (Zool.) See Goose barnacle.
Duck hawk. (Zool.)
(a) In the United States: The peregrine falcon.
(b) In England: The marsh harrier or moor buzzard.
Duck mole (Zool.), a small aquatic mammal of Australia,
having webbed feet and a bill resembling that of a duck
(Ornithorhynchus anatinus). It belongs the subclass
Monotremata and is remarkable for laying eggs like a bird
or reptile; -- called also duckbill, platypus,
mallangong, mullingong, tambreet, and water mole.
To make ducks and drakes, to throw a flat stone obliquely,
so as to make it rebound repeatedly from the surface of
the water, raising a succession of jets; hence:
To play at ducks and drakes, with property, to throw it
away heedlessly or squander it foolishly and unprofitably.
Lame duck. See under Lame.
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