peahen
/'pi:'hen/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A peahen is a female peafowl. It is the female counterpart to the male peacock, which is known for its long, colorful tail feathers. Peahens are typically more subdued in coloration, with brown or gray feathers, and lack the elaborate train of the male.
Usage
The word "peahen" is used specifically to refer to the female of the species. It is a standard zoological term. - The peahen is responsible for incubating the eggs. - We saw a peahen foraging with her chicks near the temple grounds. - While the peacock displays its feathers, the peahen observes.
Advanced Usage
- Collective Reference: The term "peafowl" is the general name for the species, encompassing both peacocks (males) and peahens (females).
- Juvenile Terminology: A young peafowl is called a "peachick," regardless of its sex.
Variants and Related Words
- Peacock (noun): The male peafowl, characterized by its iridescent plumage and long, ornate tail.
- Peafowl (noun): The collective term for birds of the genus ; the species name that includes both peahens and peacocks.
Synonyms
- Female peafowl: The direct descriptive synonym.
- Hen (in a specific avian context): While "hen" broadly means a female bird, especially of domestic fowl, it can be used in compound terms like "peahen" for specificity.
Notes on Meaning
The word "peahen" has only one primary meaning: the adult female of the peafowl species. It is not commonly used in idioms or phrasal verbs, as it is a specific zoological term.