canvasback

American  

[kan-vuhs-bak] / ˈkæn vəsˌbæk /

noun

canvasbacks, plural canvasback plural

1. a North American wild duck, Aythya valisineria, the male of which has a whitish back and a reddish-brown head and neck.

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canvasback British  

/ ˈkænvəsˌbæk /

noun

1. a North American diving duck, Aythyra valisineria, the male of which has a white body and reddish-brown head

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• canvasback
  plural
• canvasbacks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of canvasback

An Americanism dating back to 1595–1605; after the canvaslike color of its back

Compare meaning

How does canvasback compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• canvasback vs. redhead

Example Sentences

On the banks of Yosemite Creek, brown-headed canvasback ducks plunged and preened.

From Washington Post • Jul. 1, 2021

He was a master of the graduated political gift; Presidents occasionally might receive a case of Madeira, while Cabinet members would rate only terrapin, and Congressmen wound up with canvasback duck.

From Time Magazine Archive

On Chesapeake Bay, duck hunters cussed the "bluebird"weather �balmy days when the redhead and canvasback like to sit on the water, and the men in the blinds see few duck overhead.

From Time Magazine Archive

Mallards, pintails and wigeon make up the bulk of the puddlers, while available divers include bluebills, redheads, buffleheads and an occasional canvasback.

From Time Magazine Archive

Prairie-chickens have dark meat, and many epicures declare that they should be cooked quite as rare as canvasback ducks and that their flavor when so served is unsurpassed.

From The Century Cook Book by Ronald, Mary