I. ˈchi-k ə n, sometimes -k ə ŋ 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
II. adjective
Date: 1941
1.
a. : scared
b. : timid , cowardly
2. slang
a. : insistent on petty details of duty or discipline
b. : petty , unimportant
III. intransitive verb
( chick·ened ; chick·en·ing ˈchi-k ə n-iŋ, ˈchik-niŋ)
Date: 1943
: to lose one's nerve — usually used with out
seemed to exhibit courage, manliness, and conviction when others chicken ed out — J. R. Seeley