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deck1 definition

deck (dek)

noun

  1. any extended horizontal structure in a ship or boat serving as a floor and structural support, and covering, partially or fully, the portion of the vessel that is lower than it is
  2. any platform, floor, shelf, etc. suggestive of a ship's deck; specif.,
    1. an outdoor wooden platform enclosed by a low railing
    2. a platform used for viewing an observation deck
  3. a section of tiered seating at a stadium the upper deck
  4. a set of playing cards; pack
  5. ☆ Slang a packet containing a narcotic, as heroin
  6. tape deck

Etymology: prob. aphetic < MLowG verdeck (< ver-, for- + decken, to cover: see thatch), transl. of It coperta, cover

transitive verb

☆ Slang to knock down; floor
deck Idioms

below decks

below the main deck

clear the decks

  1. to remove unnecessary things from the decks of a ship, as for combat
  2. to get ready for action

hit the deck

☆ Slang
  1. to get out of bed; get up
  2. to get ready for action
  3. to throw oneself to the floor, ground, etc., as to avoid injury
  4. to be knocked down

on deck

☆ Informal
  1. ready; on hand
  2. waiting to take one's turn, as at batting in baseball
deck2 definition

deck (dek)

transitive verb

  1. to cover or clothe with finery or ornaments; adorn; trim: often followed by out
  2. to furnish (a ship, etc.) with a deck
  3. Archaic to cover

Etymology: MDu decken, to cover: see thatch

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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