quack
1[ kwak ]
/ kwæk /
noun
the harsh, throaty cry of a duck or any similar sound.
verb (used without object)
to utter the cry of a duck or a sound resembling it.
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RELATED WORDS
simulated, bum, pseudo, phony, pretended, fake, sham, dissembling, mountebank, faker, sharp, whip, counterfeit, actor, cheat, counterfeiter, humbug, pretender, fraud, impostor
Nearby words
Origin of quack
11610–20; imitative; compare Dutch kwakken, German quacken
Definition for quack (2 of 2)
quack
2[ kwak ]
/ kwæk /
noun
a fraudulent or ignorant pretender to medical skill.
a person who pretends, professionally or publicly, to skill, knowledge, or qualifications he or she does not possess; a charlatan.
adjective
verb (used with object)
to treat in the manner of a quack.
to advertise or sell with fraudulent claims.
Origin of quack
2First recorded in 1620–30; short for quacksalver
Related formsquack·ish, adjectivequack·ish·ly, adverbquack·ish·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for quack
British Dictionary definitions for quack (1 of 2)
quack
1/ (kwæk) /
verb (intr)
(of a duck) to utter a harsh guttural sound
to make a noise like a duck
noun
the harsh guttural sound made by a duck
Word Origin for quack
C17: of imitative origin; related to Dutch kwakken, German quacken
British Dictionary definitions for quack (2 of 2)
quack
2/ (kwæk) /
noun
- an unqualified person who claims medical knowledge or other skills
- (as modifier)a quack doctor
British, Australian and NZ informal a doctor; physician or surgeon
verb
(intr) to act in the manner of a quack
Derived Formsquackish, adjective
Word Origin for quack
C17: short for quacksalver
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
Medicine definitions for quack
quack
[ kwăk ]
n.
An untrained person who pretends to be a physician and dispenses medical advice and treatment.
A charlatan.
Related formsquack′er•y n.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.