decoy Definition
de·coy (dē ko̵i′, di-; for n., usually dē′ko̵i′)
noun
- a place into which wild ducks, etc. are lured for capture
- an artificial bird or animal, or sometimes a trained live one, used to lure game to a place where it can be shot
- a thing or person used to lure or tempt into danger or a trap a police decoy
Etymology: < Du de kooi, the cage < de, def. art. (akin to the) + kooi, cage < WGmc *kawia < L cavea, cage
transitive verb, intransitive verb
to lure or be lured into a trap, danger, etc.
decoy Synonyms
decoy Synonyms
decoy Usage Examples
Converse of object
- use: When infra-red homing is used decoy hot sources may be used to deflect the incoming weapon.
- place: Geese returning at dusk to the estuary to rest may be swayed to coming into range by decoys strategically placed at the waters edge.
- approach: Shooting from a hide often involves taking shots at birds approaching the decoys at or near ground level.
- become: Once they have been hunted for 2 to 3 days they become decoy, call and flag shy.
- include: I include decoys of these other species in my decoy spread just in case some of them show up.
- carve: This is why you wouldn't want to carve a duck decoy holding its head way up.
Preposition: for
radar: The UH-60 ASE suite ( Figure H-3 ) provides PW radar and decoying for radar directed threats.
Adjective modifier
- special: The remaining Alloy Surfaces operation, which manufactures special material decoys, is a core business of the Group.
- expendable: Alloy Surfaces ' strong growth has continued and it is now the largest supplier of expendable decoys in the world.
- few: Hunt wildfowl long enough, and you will end up with a few decoys that rattle.
Modifies a noun
- receptor: The system is inhibited by a soluble decoy receptor known as osteoprotegerin.
- duck: May I not even be a Schopenhauerian decoy duck?
- ship: The Russians and the Italians also employed a small number of decoy ships.
- bird: BASC does not recommend the wing clipping of decoy birds.
- vehicle: The report also lists the results of a national survey of how decoy vehicles are used.
- airfield: This large area of links land was used as a decoy airfield for Hatston ( Kirkwall ) during World War II.
Noun used with modifier
- duck: On a stretch of land, near the shoreline of the Mersey, is located a duck decoy dating from the 17th century.
- bombing: Pages about related topics Some photos I took of a World War II bombing decoy near Kingston upon Hull.
- material: The remaining Alloy Surfaces operation, which manufactures special material decoys, is a core business of the Group.
- goose: Currently I've been working on a blind that entirely hides my shape under a huge goose decoy.
Browse dictionary entries near decoy
- ‹ decoupling trade
- ‹ decoupling
- ‹ decouple
- ‹ decoupage
- ‹ decorum
- ‹ decorticate
- ‹ decorous
- ‹ decorator
- ‹ decorative
- ‹ Decoration Day
- decrease ›
- decree ›
- decrement ›
- decrepit ›
- decrepitate ›
- decrepitude ›
- decrescendo ›
- decrescent ›
- decretal ›
- decretory ›

