fluke

¹fluke

noun \ˈflük\

Definition of FLUKE

1

: flatfish

2

: a flattened digenetic trematode worm; broadly : trematode — compare liver fluke

Origin of FLUKE

Middle English floke, fluke, from Old English flōc; akin to Old English flōh chip, Old High German flah smooth, Greek plax flat surface, and probably to Old English flōr floor — more at floor

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Fishes Terms

char, chum, ichthyology, smelt, tetra, turbot

Rhymes with FLUKE

cuke, duke, gook, juke, kook, Luke, nuke, Nuuk, puke, snook, souk, spook, tuque, uke, yeuk, zouk

²fluke

noun

Definition of FLUKE

1

: the part of an anchor that fastens in the ground — see anchor illustration

2

: one of the lobes of a whale's tail

Origin of FLUKE

perhaps from ¹fluke

First Known Use: 1561

³fluke

noun

Definition of FLUKE

1

: an accidentally successful stroke at billiards or pool

2

: a stroke of luck <the discovery was a fluke>

Origin of FLUKE

origin unknown

First Known Use: 1857

fluke

noun \ˈflük\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of FLUKE

: a flattened digenetic trematode worm; broadly : trematode—see liver fluke

fluke

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica)—Grant Heilman Photography

Any member of almost 6,000 species of parasitic flatworms. Flukes are found worldwide and range in size from about 0.2 to 4 in. (5–100 mm) long. They most commonly parasitize fish, frogs, and turtles, but also humans, domestic animals, and invertebrates such as mollusks and crustaceans. They include external parasites (ectoparasites), internal parasites (endoparasites), and semi-external parasites (those that attach to the lining of the mouth, to gills, or to the cloaca). Most flukes are flattened and leaflike or ribbonlike and have muscular suckers on the bottom surface, as well as hooks and spines, for attachment to the host. Fluke infestations may cause illness (e.g., schistosomiasis) or death in humans.

Variants of FLUKE

fluke or trematode