I. ˈdek noun
Etymology: Middle English dekke covering of a ship, from Middle Dutch * dec covering, probably from Middle Low German vordeck, from vordecken to cover, from vor- for- + decken to cover; akin to Old High German decchen to cover — more at thatch
Date: 1509
1. : a platform in a ship serving usually as a structural element and forming the floor for its compartments
2. : something resembling the deck of a ship: as
a. : a story or tier of a building (as a sports stadium)
the upper deck
b. : the roadway of a bridge
c. : a flat floored roofless area adjoining a house
d. : the lid of the compartment at the rear of the body of an automobile ; also : the compartment
e. : a layer of clouds
3.
a. : a pack of playing cards
b. : a packet of narcotics
4. : tape deck
•
- on deck
II. transitive verb
Etymology: Dutch dekken to cover; akin to Old High German decchen
Date: 1513
1. obsolete : cover
2.
a. : to clothe in a striking or elegant manner : array
deck ed out in furs
b. : decorate
deck the halls with boughs of holly — English carol
c. : to portray or present with embellishments
3.
[ deck (I)]
: to furnish with or as if with a deck
4.
[ deck (I)]
: to knock down forcibly : floor
deck ed him with one punch
Synonyms: see adorn