Definition

Noun: 1. A young bird, especially a young chicken: This meaning refers specifically to a chick or a young domestic fowl. 2. An adult female chicken; a hen: This is the more common meaning, referring to a mature female chicken kept for its eggs or meat.

Usage Examples

• Referring to a young bird:
  • The farmer separated the biddies from the adult hens.
• Referring to an adult hen:
  • She collects eggs from the biddies every morning.
  • The old biddy clucked loudly in the coop.

Advanced Usage

• The term "biddy" can sometimes be used informally and derogatorily to refer to an old woman, often implying she is fussy, gossipy, or annoying. This usage is considered offensive and dated.
  • He complained about the noisy biddies who lived next door.

Variants and Related Words

• Chick: A more common and neutral term for a young bird, especially a young chicken.
• Pullet: A technical term for a young female chicken, usually less than one year old.
• Hen: The standard, neutral term for an adult female chicken.

Synonyms

• For a young bird: chick, nestling.
• For an adult female chicken: hen.

Notes on Meaning

• The primary and neutral meaning is an adult female chicken.
• The meaning of a young bird is less common but still valid, particularly in historical or regional contexts.
• The informal, derogatory meaning for an old woman is slang and should be used with extreme caution due to its offensive nature.

Noun

1. young bird especially of domestic fowl
2. adult female chicken