fluke

Noun
Synonyms: good luckgood fortunefluetrematodetrematode worm

WordNet 3.0

Noun (5)

  1. a stroke of luckSynonyms: good luckgood fortune
  2. a barb on a harpoon or arrow
  3. flat bladelike projection on the arm of an anchorSynonyms: flue
  4. either of the two lobes of the tail of a cetacean
  5. parasitic flatworms having external suckers for attaching to a hostSynonyms: trematodetrematode worm
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Fluke \Fluke\ (fl[=u]k), n. [Cf. LG. flunk, flunka wing, the palm of an anchor; perh. akin to E. fly.]

1.The part of an anchor which fastens in the ground; a flook. See Anchor. [1913 Webster]

2.(Zool.) One of the lobes of a whale's tail, so called from the resemblance to the fluke of an anchor. [1913 Webster]

3.An instrument for cleaning out a hole drilled in stone for blasting. [1913 Webster]

4.An accidental and favorable stroke at billiards (called a scratch in the United States); hence, any accidental or unexpected advantage; as, he won by a fluke. [Cant, Eng.] --A. Trollope. [1913 Webster]

Fluke \Fluke\ (fl[=u]k or fl[=oo]k), n. [Cf. AS. fl[=o]c a kind of flatfish, Icel. fl[=o]ki a kind of halibut.]

1.(Zool.) The European flounder. See Flounder. [Written also fleuk, flook, and flowk.] [1913 Webster]

2.(Zool.) Any American flounder of the genus Paralichthys, especially Paralicthys dentatus, found in the Atlantic Ocean and in adjacent bays. --RHUD [PJC]

3.(Zool.) A parasitic trematode worm of several species, having a flat, lanceolate body and two suckers. Two species (Fasciola hepatica and Distoma lanceolatum) are found in the livers of sheep, and produce the disease called rot. [1913 Webster]

Fluke \Fluke\, v. t. & i. [imp. & p. p. Fluked; p. pr. & vb. n. Fluking.] To get or score by a fluke; as, to fluke a play in billiards. [Slang] [Webster 1913 Suppl.]
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