hen

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Pronunciation

• IPA: /hɛn/

Noun

hen (plural hens)

1. A female chicken (Gallus gallus), particularly a sexually mature one kept for its eggs.
2. A female of other bird species, particularly a sexually mature female fowl.
3. (uncommon) A female fish or crustacean.
4. (figuratively, derogatory) A woman, particularly
   • 1785, Francis Grose, A Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue:

     Hen, a woman. A cock and hen club; a club composed of men and women.

   1. (UK, informal) A bride-to-be, particularly in the context of her "hen night" festivities.
5. (UK, informal) A hen night.
6. (Scotland, informal) An affectionate term of address used to women or girls.

   Don't cry, hen. Everything will be all right.

7. (figuratively, pejorative, uncommon) A henlike person of either sex.
8. The hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria), a bivalve shellfish.

Synonyms

• (female bird) hen-bird
• (bride-to-be) (US) bachelorette
• (M. mercenaria) hard clam, hen-clam, hen-fish

Translations

• French: poule
• German: Henne, Legehenne, Huhn
• Italian: gallina
• Portuguese: galinha
• Russian: ку́рица
• Spanish: gallina

Translations

• German: Weibchen (generic term for the female of any animal)
• Italian: gallina
• Portuguese: ave-fêmea, pássara
• Russian: ку́рочка
• Spanish: ave hembra

Translations

• French: poule
• Italian: gallina
• Portuguese: galinha
• Russian: тёлка

Verb

hen (hens, present participle henning; past and past participle henned)

1. Alternative form of mother-hen

Adverb

hen (not comparable)

1. (dialectal) Hence.

Verb

hen (hens, present participle henning; past and past participle henned)

1. (dialectal) To throw.

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