fluke¹

[flook]

See more synonyms for fluke on Thesaurus.com

noun

the part of an anchor that catches in the ground, especially the flat triangular piece at the end of each arm.
a barb, or the barbed head, of a harpoon, spear, arrow, or the like.
either half of the triangular tail of a whale.

Origin of fluke¹

First recorded in 1555–65; perhaps special use of fluke³

fluke²

[flook]

noun

an accidental advantage; stroke of good luck: He got the job by a fluke.
an accident or chance happening.
an accidentally successful stroke, as in billiards.

Origin of fluke²

First recorded in 1855–60; of obscure origin; compare dial. fluke a guess

fluke³

[flook]

noun

any of several American flounders of the genus Paralichthys, especially P. dentatus, found in the Atlantic Ocean.
any of various other flatfishes.
a trematode.

Origin of fluke³

before 900; Middle English flok(e), fluke, Old English flōc; cognate with Old Norse flōki; compare Old High German flah flat (German flach)

Related formsfluke·less, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for fluke

Contemporary Examples

In 1989, a newly registered Republican in Louisiana named David Duke won his only election by a fluke.
The Louisiana Racists Who Courted Steve Scalise
Jason Berry
January 3, 2015
“Sandra Fluke Aborts Congressional Bid,” read another headline on Breitbart after Fluke opted to run instead for the state Senate.
Sandra Fluke, Still Under Attack, Heads to California General Election
Olivia Nuzzi
June 5, 2014
From the moment the word was out that Fluke was considering a run for office, she was the subject of right-wing side-eye.
Sandra Fluke, Still Under Attack, Heads to California General Election
Olivia Nuzzi
June 5, 2014
Having her as our guest was a fluke of Divine Order and a true example of Ask and You shall receive.
Common: Maya Angelou ‘Touched My Soul’
Common
May 31, 2014
It was a chance occurrence, something of a fluke, but it was meant to be.
Sandi Thom On How To Make It As A Female Rock Star
Sandi Thom
April 9, 2014

Historical Examples

He doesn't seem to know me at all, and I believe his shot at me by way of my father was a fluke.
The Eternal City
Hall Caine
Jenkins was reliable, usually, and hadn't come up with a fluke yet.
Pleasant Journey
Richard F. Thieme
This time there could be no fluke, for the great Red McGloin was up on the favorite.
Garrison's Finish
W. B. M. Ferguson
He was to ride; ride the winner of the last Carter, the winner of a fluke race.
Garrison's Finish
W. B. M. Ferguson
He is most awfully rich, too, and he came into his money quite by a fluke.
The Adventurous Seven
Bessie Marchant

British Dictionary definitions for fluke

fluke¹

noun

Also called: flue a flat bladelike projection at the end of the arm of an anchor
either of the two lobes of the tail of a whale or related animal
Also called: flue the barb or barbed head of a harpoon, arrow, etc

Word Origin

C16: perhaps a special use of fluke ³ (in the sense: a flounder)

fluke²

noun

an accidental stroke of luck
any chance happening

verb

(tr) to gain, make, or hit by a fluke

Word Origin

C19: of unknown origin

fluke³

noun

any parasitic flatworm, such as the blood fluke and liver fluke, of the classes Monogenea and Digenea (formerly united in a single class Trematoda)
another name for flounder 2 (def. 1)

Word Origin

Old English flōc; related to Old Norse flōki flounder, Old Saxon flaka sole, Old High German flah smooth

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for fluke

n.1

"flat end of an arm of an anchor," 1560s, perhaps from fluke (n.3) on resemblance of shape, or from Low German flügel "wing." Meaning "whale's tail" (in plural, flukes) is 1725.

n.2

"lucky stroke, chance hit," 1857, originally a lucky shot at billiards, of uncertain origin.

n.3

"flatfish," Old English floc "flatfish," related to Old Norse floke "flatfish," flak "disk, floe" (see flake (n.)). The parasite worm (1660s) so called from resemblance of shape.

fluke in Medicine

fluke

(flōōk)

trematode

fluke in Science

fluke

[flōōk]

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Origin of .css-1fxfie5{font-size:22px;}@media (max-width:768px){.css-1fxfie5{font-size:18px;margin:0 10px 10px 0;word-break:break-all;word-wrap:break-word;-webkit-hyphens:auto;-moz-hyphens:auto;-ms-hyphens:auto;hyphens:auto;line-height:22px;}}fluke1

fluke2

Origin of fluke2

fluke3

Origin of fluke3

Examples from the Web for fluke

Contemporary Examples

In 1989, a newly registered Republican in Louisiana named David Duke won his only election by a fluke.

“Sandra Fluke Aborts Congressional Bid,” read another headline on Breitbart after Fluke opted to run instead for the state Senate.

From the moment the word was out that Fluke was considering a run for office, she was the subject of right-wing side-eye.

Having her as our guest was a fluke of Divine Order and a true example of Ask and You shall receive.

It was a chance occurrence, something of a fluke, but it was meant to be.

Historical Examples

He doesn't seem to know me at all, and I believe his shot at me by way of my father was a fluke.

Jenkins was reliable, usually, and hadn't come up with a fluke yet.

This time there could be no fluke, for the great Red McGloin was up on the favorite.

He was to ride; ride the winner of the last Carter, the winner of a fluke race.

He is most awfully rich, too, and he came into his money quite by a fluke.

fluke1

Word Origin

fluke2

Word Origin

fluke3

Word Origin

Word Origin and History for fluke

n.1

n.2

n.3

fluke

fluke

fluke¹

Origin of fluke¹

fluke²

Origin of fluke²

fluke³

Origin of fluke³

fluke¹

fluke²

fluke³