fluke
US /fluːk/
UK /fluːk/
1.
an unlikely chance occurrence, especially a surprising piece of luck
:
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His winning the lottery was a complete fluke.
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It was a fluke that we met at the airport.
2.
the barbed head of a harpoon or an arrow
:
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The hunter sharpened the fluke of his harpoon.
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The arrow's fluke ensured it would not easily pull out.
3.
a parasitic flatworm, especially a trematode
:
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The sheep was infected with liver fluke.
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Scientists are studying the life cycle of the blood fluke.
4.
the broad, triangular end of a whale's tail
:
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The whale slapped its powerful fluke on the water.
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Each whale's fluke has unique markings, like a fingerprint.
1.
to achieve something by luck rather than skill
:
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He just fluked his way into the final round.
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She fluked a perfect score on the test.