n.
Pronunciation: ' chi-k ə n, sometimes -k ə ŋ
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English chiken, from Old English cicen young chicken; akin to Old English cocc cock
Date: 14th century
1 a : the common domestic fowl ( Gallus gallus ) especially when young also : its flesh used as food ― compare JUNGLE FOWL b : any of various birds or their young
2 : a young woman
3 a : COWARD b : any of various contests in which the participants risk personal safety in order to see which one will give up first
4 [short for chickenshit ] slang : petty details
5 slang : a young male homosexual