ˈhen noun
( -s )
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English henn; akin to Old High German henna hen, Old English hana rooster — more at chant
1.
a. : the female of the domestic fowl ; especially : one that is more than a year old
b. : the female of any of various other birds (as most gallinaceous or domesticated birds)
c. : one who behaves like a hen
there were younger children at home and Minnie was their devoted mother hen — R.T.Moriarty
2.
a. : the female of various marine animals (as the lobster) and some fishes
b. : hen fish
3. : an especially older woman who is fussy or officious
grown into a cantankerous old hen
•
- a hen on