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 belief2: 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