n., adj., & v.
--n. (pl. same or chickens)
1. a young bird of a domestic fowl.
2 a a domestic fowl prepared as food. b its flesh.
3 a youthful person (usu.with neg. : is no chicken).
4 colloq. a children's pastime testing courage, usu. recklessly.
--adj. colloq. cowardly.
--v.intr. (foll. by out) colloq. withdraw from or fail in some activity through fear or lack of nerve.
Phrases and idioms:
chicken-and-egg problem (or dilemma etc.) the unresolved question as to which of two things caused the other. chicken brick an earthenware container in two halves for roasting a chicken in its own juices. chicken cholera see CHOLERA. chicken-feed
1. food for poultry.
2 colloq. an unimportant amount, esp. of money. chicken-hearted (or -livered) easily frightened; lacking nerve or courage. chicken-wire a light wire netting with a hexagonal mesh.
Etymology: OE cicen, cycen f. Gmc