n.1 a a female bird, esp. of a domestic fowl. b (in pl.) domestic fowls of either sex.
2 a female lobster or crab or salmon.
Phrases and idioms:
hen and chickens any of several plants esp. the houseleek. hen-coop a coop for keeping fowls in. hen-harrier a common harrier, Circus cyaneus. hen-house a small shed for fowls to roost in. hen-party colloq. derog. a social gathering of women. hen-roost a place where fowls roost at night. hen-run an enclosure for fowls.
Etymology: OE henn f. WG