Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Fluke
Fluke
(flūk or floōk)
, Noun.
[Cf. AS.
flōc
a kind of flatfish, Icel. flōki
a kind of halibut.] 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
. Fluke
(flūk)
, Noun.
[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
. 2.
(Zool.)
One of the lobes of a whale’s tail, so called from the resemblance to the fluke of an anchor.
3.
An instrument for cleaning out a hole drilled in stone for blasting.
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.
Webster 1828 Edition
Fluke
FLUKE
,Noun.