Plain English Meaning
A small wing-like surface placed near the nose of the aircraft, in front of the main wings, that helps control pitch and adds some lift.
Full Definition
A small horizontal lifting and control surface mounted ahead of the main wing of an aircraft, used to provide pitch control and contribute lift, in place of or in addition to a conventional aft-mounted horizontal stabilizer.
Context Anchor
Seen in airframe design, aircraft configuration descriptions, maintenance inspections, and discussions of pitch control.
Derivation
From the French word 'canard,' meaning 'duck.' Early French observers thought aircraft with a small forward surface and large rear wing looked like a duck flying with its neck stretched ahead of its . The name stuck.