turkey-hen

turkey-hen

A turkey-hen watches over her chicks in the farmyard.

Definition

Noun: A female turkey (the bird Meleagris gallopavo), specifically an adult female of the species.

Usage Examples
  • (A female turkey performing maternal behaviour.)
  • (A female turkey used for reproduction.)
  • (The female turkey's camouflage colouring.)
Advanced Usage
  • "turkey-hen in the wild": a female turkey living in its natural habitat.
    • A turkey-hen in the wild will lead her poults (young) to feeding areas each morning. (The female turkey guides her offspring.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Turkey (n): the bird species as a whole, or specifically the male or female.
    • We raised turkeys for the holiday market. (The birds collectively.)
  • Hen (n): a female bird, especially of domestic fowl, but used generically for female birds.
    • The hen turkey is called a turkey-hen. (The female of the species.)
Synonyms
  • Female turkey: a straightforward descriptive term.
  • Hen turkey: an alternative phrasing with the same meaning.
Related Idioms
  • "Talk turkey" (idiom): to speak plainly or seriously about business.
    • Let's stop joking and talk turkey about the budget. (Discuss the matter directly.)
    • Note: This idiom does not relate to the female turkey specifically but uses "turkey" as a general term.
Phrasal Verbs
  • None directly associated with "turkey-hen." The word is a compound noun and does not form phrasal verbs.