Main Entry: ca·nard

Pronunciation: \kə-ˈnärd also -ˈnär\

Function: noun

Etymology: French, literally, duck; in sense 1, from Middle French vendre des canards à moitié to cheat, literally, to half-sell ducks

Date: 1851

1 a : a false or unfounded report or story; especially : a fabricated report b : a groundless rumor or belief
2 : an airplane with horizontal stabilizing and control surfaces in front of supporting surfaces; also : a small airfoil in front of the wing of an aircraft that can increase the aircraft's performance