mallard

[ mal-erd ]

noun

, plural mal·lards, (especially collectively) mal·lard.

1. a common, almost cosmopolitan, wild duck, Anas platyrhynchos, from which the domestic ducks are descended.

mallard

/ ˈmælɑːd /

noun

1. a duck, Anas platyrhynchos, common over most of the N hemisphere, the male of which has a dark green head and reddish-brown breast: the ancestor of all domestic breeds of duck

Word History and Origins

Origin of mallard¹

1275–1325; Middle English < Middle French, Old French mallart mallard drake, drake; male, -ard

Word History and Origins

Origin of mallard¹

C14: from Old French mallart, perhaps from maslart (unattested); see male , -ard

Example Sentences

It launches with an amusing ruse: Bond makes his entrance swimming underwater, disguised by a mallard he wears as a hat.

From The Daily Beast

His reverie was interrupted by the arrival of a fine mallard, which was bagged without delay.

From Project Gutenberg

The Fern Fly—dubbed with the fur from a hare's neck, which is of a fern colour, wings dark grey feather of mallard.

From Project Gutenberg

The Camel Brown—dubbed with old brownish hair, with red silk, wings dark grey feather from mallard.

From Project Gutenberg

The Dark Brown—dubbed with the brown hair of a cow, and the grey feather of a Mallard for wings.

From Project Gutenberg

The Great Whirling Dun—dubbed with squirrels fur, for wings, grey feather of mallard.

From Project Gutenberg