hen
/hen/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- 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
- female of certain aquatic animals e.g. octopus or lobster
- flesh of an older chicken suitable for stewing
- adult female bird
- adult female chicken