quack

verb (1)

\ ˈkwak

How to pronounce quack (audio)

\

quacked; quacking; quacks

Definition of quack

(Entry 1 of 5)

intransitive verb

: to make the characteristic cry of a duck

quack

noun (1)

Definition of quack (Entry 2 of 5)

: a noise made by quacking

quack

verb (2)

quacked; quacking; quacks

Definition of quack (Entry 3 of 5)

intransitive verb

: to act like a quack

quack

noun (2)

Definition of quack (Entry 4 of 5)

1 : charlatan sense 2 Religious quacks on radio and television thinking up new ways to take money from ignorant listeners and incidentally from legitimate churches.— Andrew A. Rooney

2 : an ignorant, misinformed, or dishonest practitioner of medicine No doubt these misunderstandings and dashed hopes have driven many cancer patients and their families into the arms of quacks.— Haydn Bush

quack

adjective

Definition of quack (Entry 5 of 5)

: of, relating to, or used by quacks quack cancer cures

First Known Use of quack

Verb (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1798, in the meaning defined above

Verb (2)

1628, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

1638, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1653, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for quack

Verb (1)

alteration of queck to quack, from Middle English queken, from queke, interjection, of imitative origin

Noun (2) and Verb (2)

short for quacksalver

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Time Traveler for quack

The first known use of quack was in the 14th century

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More Definitions for quack

quack

verb

\ ˈkwak

\

quacked; quacking

Kids Definition of quack

(Entry 1 of 4)

: to make the cry of a duck

quack

noun

Kids Definition of quack (Entry 2 of 4)

: a cry made by a duck

quack

noun

Kids Definition of quack (Entry 3 of 4)

: a person who pretends to have medical knowledge and skill

quack

adjective

Kids Definition of quack (Entry 4 of 4)

: relating to, being, or used by a person who pretends to have medical skill a quack doctor quack remedies

quack

noun

\ ˈkwak

\

Medical Definition of quack

(Entry 1 of 2)

: a pretender to medical skill : an ignorant or dishonest practitioner

quack

adjective

Medical Definition of quack (Entry 2 of 2)

: of, relating to, characteristic of, or being a quack scores of quack remedies for arthritis— Jane E. Brody

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WORD OF THE DAY

propitious

likely to have or produce good results

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