Definition

1. Noun:
   • An adult female bird: A bird of the female sex, especially after reaching maturity.
   • An adult female chicken: Specifically, a mature female chicken, often kept for laying eggs.
   • The flesh of an older chicken suitable for stewing: The meat from a mature female chicken, typically tougher and used in slow-cooked dishes.
   • The female of certain aquatic animals (e.g., octopus or lobster): The female of some shellfish or marine creatures.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The hen sat on her eggs to keep them warm. (Referring to a female chicken)
  • We observed a robin hen feeding her chicks. (Referring to a female bird)
  • The stew was made with a tough old hen. (Referring to the meat)
  • The fisherman identified the lobster as a hen. (Referring to a female aquatic animal)

Advanced Usage

• "like a hen with one chick": To be excessively fussy, busy, or overprotective.
  • She fussed over the preparations like a hen with one chick.
• "hen party" (listed under Variants): A social gathering for women only.
• "mother hen": A person who fusses over others in a protective, motherly way.
  • Our manager is a real mother hen, always checking if we've eaten.

Variants and Related Words

• Hen-like (adj): Resembling or characteristic of a hen.
• Henhouse (n): A coop or shelter for domestic fowl, especially hens.
• Hen party (n): A party for women, typically one held for a woman who is about to get married.

Synonyms

• Broody hen: A hen inclined to sit on eggs.
• Biddy (informal): A hen; sometimes used derogatorily for a woman.
• Layer: A hen that lays eggs.

Related Phrases

• To henpeck (verb): (For a wife) to nag or dominate her husband.
  • He is constantly henpecked by his wife.
• Hen-run (n): An enclosed area where hens can move about.

Related Idioms

• "As mad as a wet hen": Extremely angry.
  • He was as mad as a wet hen when he saw the damage.
• "Don't count your chickens before they hatch" (related concept): Don't be overly confident about a favorable outcome that is not yet certain.

Noun

1. female of certain aquatic animals e.g. octopus or lobster
2. flesh of an older chicken suitable for stewing
3. adult female bird
4. adult female chicken