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Fluke

1. The part of an anchor which fastens in the ground; a flook. See anchor.

2. (Science: zoology) One of the lobes of a whales tail, so called from the resemblance to the fluke of an anchor.

3. An instrument for cleaning out a hole drilled in stone for blasting.

4. An accidental and favorable stroke at billiards (called a scratch in the united States); hence, any accidental or unexpected advantage; as, he won by a fluke.

Origin: cf. LG. Flunk, flunka wing, the palm of an anchor; perh. Akin to E. Fly.