die Ente, -n
duck
Ein Vogel, der oft auf dem Wasser schwimmt, einen breiten Schnabel hat und quaken kann.
Definition & meaning
The primary meaning of "Ente" is a duck, which refers to various species of relatively small, short-necked, large-billed waterfowl. In a culinary context, it refers to the meat of the bird served as food.
A secondary and very common meaning is a journalistic "canard" or a hoax. This refers to a false or fabricated news story that has been published in the media. This specific type of misinformation is often called a Zeitungsente.
In a historical or enthusiast context, "Ente" is also the popular German nickname for the Citroën 2CV automobile, chosen because of its unique appearance and suspension system that caused it to sway like a waddling duck.
Grammar & Word origin
The word is a feminine noun (die Ente). The plural form is "die Enten".
Etymologically, it descends from the Old High German word "anut", which is related to the Middle High German "ante". It shares the same Indo-European roots as the Latin word "anas".
The origin of the term for a false news report is debated. One popular theory suggests it comes from the Latin abbreviation "n. t." for "non testatum" (not cross-checked/not witnessed), which was used in editorial offices. When read aloud in German, "n. t." sounds like "Ente".
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms for the biological bird include Wasservogel or specifically Erpel for a male duck and Küken for a duckling.
Synonyms for the journalistic meaning include Zeitungsente, Falschmeldung, Hoax, or Lüge.
Antonyms, applicable mostly to the figurative meaning of a false report, include Wahrheit, Tatsache, or Fakt.
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Examples
Die Ente schwimmt auf dem Teich.noun
The duck swims on the pond.
Ich füttere die Enten mit Brot.noun
I feed the ducks with bread.
Haben die Enten Hunger?noun
Are the ducks hungry?
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