▪ I. fluky, a.1
(ˈfluːkɪ)
Also 9 flukey.
[f. fluke n.1 + -y1.]
Infested with flukes; pertaining to an animal infested with flukes.
| 1855 Robinson Whitby Gloss., Fluked or Fluky, worm⁓eaten, or rather when the worm holes channel or flow into each other. 1874 ‘C. King’ Ion Duan (Melbourne) lxv. 25 Regardless of flukey meat and damper. |
▪ II. ˈfluky, a.2 rare—1.
In 8 flooky.
[f. fluke n.2 + -y1.]
Of an anchor: Having flukes.
| 1718 Rowe tr. Lucan 81 No loud-mouth'd Voices call..To heave the flooky Anchors from the Sand. |
▪ III. fluky, a.3
(ˈfluːkɪ)
Also flukey.
[f. fluke n.3 + -y1.]
1. Of the nature of a fluke or lucky chance; obtained by chance rather than by skill.
| 1867 Australasian 2 Mar. 268/1 Cosstick..playing a very flukey innings. 1879 Sat. Rev. 5 July 21 There was some flukey hitting off Mr. Steele. 1881 Standard 8 July 6/1 Lascelles scored a fluky two in the slips. 1886 G. B. Smith Prime Ministers 310 The ministry..sustained an actual but fluky defeat. 1893 Pall Mall G. 21 June 5/2 The result..is a capital example of the flukey nature of the game. |
2. Uncertain; favouring unexpected results.
| 1880 Daily Tel. 7 Sept., There are the fluky days, when the best of the breeze brings all the stern boats up to you. 1882 Sat. Rev. LIV. 706 A very fluky etymology. 1894 Times 16 Apr. 10/3 The Britannia..beating Oretta and Valkyrie I. hull down in very fluky winds. |
Hence ˈflukily adv. ˈflukiness.
| 1881 Daily News 22 June 2/7 He had played very flukily. 1888 Ibid. 7 July 6/5 When all has been said..as to the flukiness of cricket on wet wickets. |