Dictionary — ontologydriven

chicken en · ADJ · etymology 1

Pronunciation

chĭk'ĭn (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
(General-American) audio
(Received-Pronunciation) audio
/ˈt͡ʃɪkɪn/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
(Received-Pronunciation) audio
/ˈt͡ʃɪkən/ (Australia, General-American)

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *keukô Proto-Germanic *keukô Proto-Germanic *kukkaz Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Indo-European *-iHnos Proto-Germanic *-īnaz Proto-West Germanic *kiukīn? Proto-Germanic *kukkīną? Old English ċicen Middle English chiken English chicken From Middle English chiken (also as chike > English chick), from Old English ċicen, ċycen (“chicken”), of uncertain origin. Possibly from Proto-West Germanic *kiukīn (“chicken”), or alternatively from Proto-West Germanic *kukkīn, equivalent to cock + -en. Compare North Frisian schückling (“chicken”), Saterland Frisian Sjuuken (“chicken”), Dutch kuiken (“chick, chicken”), German Low German Küken (“chick”), whence German Küken (“chick”), (elevated, obsolete) German Küchlein (“chick”) and Old Norse kjúklingr (“chicken”).

Meanings

(derogatory, informal, sometimes) Cowardly.
- Why do you refuse to fight? Huh, I guess you're just too chicken.

Forms

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
most chicken	Degree=Sup		lexicographic
more chicken	Degree=Cmp		lexicographic

Deriveds

chicken out

Synonyms

sissy · anxious · rabbit-hearted · punk · dickless · dastard · cowardy · wary · concerned · worried · frightened · craven · cravenhearted · lily-livered · cowardly · milky · low-hearted · fearful · fraidy · horrified · bitch-ass · liver-faced · shocked · panicked · niding · backboneless · candy-assed · weak-kneed · dough-faced · poor-spirited · mousy · pusillanimous · poltroonish · yellow-bellied · chicken · miching · base · wimpish · yellow · chicken-hearted · timorous · courageless · invalorous · scared · kiasi · pigeon-livered · heartless · mouse-hearted · white-livered · gutless · soft · alarmed · caitiff · unhearty · nutless · milk-livered · retromingent · fearful · terrified · ratlike · gizzardless · invertebrate · spineless · frit · afeared · pussylike · startled · nerveless · chicken-livered · recrayed · nidering · apprehensive · boneless · mortified · hen-hearted · cowardish · nithing · chickenshit · timorous · white-hearted · creeped out · chicken · fainthearted · afraid · niddering · cowish · timid · cringey · dastardly · cowhearted · liver-hearted

chicken en · NOUN · etymology 1

Pronunciation

chĭk'ĭn (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
(General-American) audio
(Received-Pronunciation) audio
/ˈt͡ʃɪkɪn/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
(Received-Pronunciation) audio
/ˈt͡ʃɪkən/ (Australia, General-American)

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Germanic *keukô Proto-Germanic *keukô Proto-Germanic *kukkaz Proto-Indo-European *-nós Proto-Indo-European *-iHnos Proto-Germanic *-īnaz Proto-West Germanic *kiukīn? Proto-Germanic *kukkīną? Old English ċicen Middle English chiken English chicken From Middle English chiken (also as chike > English chick), from Old English ċicen, ċycen (“chicken”), of uncertain origin. Possibly from Proto-West Germanic *kiukīn (“chicken”), or alternatively from Proto-West Germanic *kukkīn, equivalent to cock + -en. Compare North Frisian schückling (“chicken”), Saterland Frisian Sjuuken (“chicken”), Dutch kuiken (“chick, chicken”), German Low German Küken (“chick”), whence German Küken (“chick”), (elevated, obsolete) German Küchlein (“chick”) and Old Norse kjúklingr (“chicken”).

Meanings

(countable) A domesticated subspecies of red junglefowl (Gallus gallus domesticus).
- With egg prices rising, more people may be shopping for their own backyard chicken flock. But before you build a coop and subscribe to Chicken Whisperer, health experts have a warning: Caring for backyard chickens is not as easy as bringing home a cute new kitten, and keeping chickens can come with a handful of serious health risks, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2023 January 18, Jen Christensen, “High egg prices may tempt you to start your own backyard flock, but chickens carry some health risks”, in CNN:
- barnyard chickens
- Some chickens lay eggs almost every day. […] Chickens are kept for their meat, too. 1997, Beverley Randell, Clive Harper, Chickens, Nelson Thornes, →ISBN, page 8:
- backyard chickens
(uncountable) The meat from this bird eaten as food.
- Amongst thee more harmless reptiles to be found were several lizards and iguanas. The natives killed these and used them for food. The flesh was not despised by explorers, and I was told it tasted exactly like chicken; but, however good it might have been, my courage was not suffcient to enable me to overcome my prejudice against tasting it. 1887, Harriet W. Daly, Digging, Squatting, and Pioneering Life in the Northern Territory of South Australia, page 97:
- tastes like chicken
- boneless chicken
- Here’s a grocery list of foods Chestnut has eaten competitively, drawn from his Major League Eating bio: apple pie, asparagus, boysenberry pie, brats, burritos, chicken spiedies (a kind of sandwich), chicken wings, chili, corned beef sandwiches, eggs, fish tacos, funnel cake, grilled cheese sandwiches, gyoza, Krystal hamburgers, horseshoe sandwiches, hot dogs, ice cream, jalapeno poppers, kolaches, pastrami sandwiches, Philly cheesesteaks, pierogi, pizza, pork ribs, pulled pork, poutine, salt potatoes, shrimp, tacos, tamales, turkey and Twinkies. 2015 July 2, Michael Pearson, “6 things to know about hot dog king Joey Chestnut”, in CNN:
- Before cooking chicken, or other poultry, rinse with cold water and pat dry with a paper towel. 1995, Jean Paré, Chicken, Etc., Company's Coming Publishing Limited, →ISBN, page 7:
(countable, obsolete, uncountable) The young of any bird; a chick.
- There they are – four ugly little chickens, a bit more than half-feathered, and all gaping mouths and bare bellies. 1934, Henry G. Lamond, An Aviary on the Plains, Sydney: Angus and Robertson, page 220:
(countable, derogatory, slang, sometimes) A coward.
- 'Why, what a chicken you are! You are not afraid of being robbed; are you?' said Jonas. 1842 December – 1844 July, Charles Dickens, chapter 28, in The Life and Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit, London: Chapman and Hall, […], published 1844, →OCLC:
- Then he had an inspiration. "There is Roxton," said he. "He's not a chicken, but he is a useful man in a row. I think I could get him." 1925 July – 1926 May, A[rthur] Conan Doyle, “(please specify the chapter number)”, in The Land of Mist (eBook no. 0601351h.html), Australia: Project Gutenberg Australia, published April 2019:
- Maya: Hehe... Nick. You're kinda a chicken, aren't you? 2007 March 16, Capcom Production Studio 4, quoting Maya, Phoenix Wright: Ace Attorney – Justice for All, Europe: Capcom, →OCLC, Nintendo DS, scene: Part 3: Investigation, Big Top, level/area: Turnabout Big Top:
- (More commonly used as an adjective with this sense; see below.)
- Usually, I had no problem approaching girls, but this one was different. I went home and berated myself for being such a chicken. 2008, Lanakila Michael Achong, Haole Boy: The Adoption of Diversity, iUniverse, →ISBN, page 44:
- Chicken! Fight like a robot! 1980, Stern Electronics, Berzerk, spoken by Evil Otto:
(countable, derogatory, slang, sometimes) A young or inexperienced person.
- Purſue your trade of ſcandal-picking, Your hints, that Stella is no chicken: Your innuendos, when you tell us, That Stella loves to talk with fellows; […] 1752, Jonathan Swift, “Stella's Birth-day, 1720”, in The Works of D. Jonathan Swift. In Nine Volumes. The Seventh Edition, to which is Prefixed, the Doctor's Life, with Remarks on His Writings, from the Earl of Orrery and Others, not to be Found in any Former Edition of His Works, 7th edition, volume II (Containing His Poetical Writings), Dublin; Edinburgh: printed; and … reprinted, for G. Hamilton & J. Balfour, & L. Hunter at Edinburgh; and A. Stalker, at Glasgow; and sold by them and other booksellers, →OCLC, page 99:
- "This case will make a stir, sir," he remarked. "It beats anything I have seen, and I am no chicken." 1886, Arthur Conan Doyle, “The Lauriston Garden Mystery”, in A Study in Scarlet (Beeton's Christmas Annual; 28th season), London; New York, N.Y.: Ward Lock & Co., November 1887, OCLC 15800088; republished as A Study in Scarlet. A Detective Story, new edition, London: Ward, Lock, Bowden, and Co., 1892, OCLC 23246292, page 43
(Polari, countable) A young, attractive, slim man, usually having little body hair; compare chickenhawk.
- Europe's Favorite Gay Newspaper has something for you! Handsome studs, Tender Chicken, and lots of Male Nudes! 1976 April 10, “Classified advertisement”, in Gay Community News, page 19:
- I am a little white chicken, beautiful as sweet and young as beautiful and soft as young and gay as soft and innocent as gay. I dare you to write. 1991 December 1, Ronald Smith, “Personal advertisement”, in Gay Community News, volume 19, number 20, page 14:
(uncountable) The game of dare.
(countable, uncountable) The game of dare. ▸ A confrontational game in which the participants move toward each other at high speed (usually in automobiles); the player who turns first to avoid colliding into the other is the "chicken" (that is, the loser).
- The Mini surged forward too. The cars were hurtling towards each other across the pitch. This was a dangerous game of chicken. Who would crumble first? 2017, David Walliams [pseudonym; David Edward Williams], Bad Dad, London: HarperCollins Children’s Books, →ISBN:
- Don't play chicken with a freight train; you're guaranteed to lose.
(countable, qualifier:preceded by definite article, uncountable) A simple dance in which the movements of a chicken are imitated.
(US, countable, slang, uncountable) A kilogram of cocaine.
- Up early in the morning trappin' (Trap-trap) You can get 'em how you askin' (Ask) How many chickens? You can get 'em whichever way Nigga, trap turned Zaxby's (Zax) 2017 January 3, Migos, “Call Casting”, in Culture, Track 3:
(countable, obsolete, uncountable) A small pewter pot used in a tavern.

Forms

Spelling	Features	Labels	Source
chickens	Number=Plur		lexicographic

Coordinates

hen

Deriveds

Descendants

ciken · Chicken · sicín · チキン · 치킨

Hypernyms

creature · critter · bird · animal · poultry

Hyponyms

rooster (bird) · broiler (bird) · chick (bird) · hen (bird) · cock (bird) · cockerel (bird)

Relateds

egg · 🐔 · poultry

Synonyms

bird · recreant · yellow back · game of chicken · twink · candy-ass · niddering · chook (bird) · coward · jessie · chickenshit · piece of crap · coistril · pullet · gutless wonder · niding · milquetoast · quakebuttock · pullet · nancy · cocktail · bottler · sook · nidering · quiche-eater · fraidy cat · twink (young, attractive, slim man) · shithouse · game of chicken · slag · chicken liver · caitiff · sissy · punk · nidget · piece of shit · pisspants · snool · wheyface · invertebrate · candy-arse · sluggard · nithing · funker · lizard · scaredy cat · scaredy pants · brick · chicken · dog · pussy · pussyhole · biddy (bird) · spring chicken (young inexperienced person) · quakebreech · poltroon · coward (coward) · cowardy custard · craven · weak sister · yellow belly

Translations (598)

he תרנגולת \ תַּרְנְגֹלֶת (bird) · mi heihei (bird) · fi kananpoika (meat) · lzz ქოთუმე (bird) · vo dredajiedan (coward) · rut кӏатӏ (bird) · ps چرګ (bird) · chr ᏣᏔᎦ (bird) · aho 𑜀𑜩 (bird) · it pollo (meat) · cy cyw iâr (meat) · st kgoho (bird) · gd cearc (bird) · sc caboni (bird) · sh пијевац (bird) · nl kippenvlees (meat) · mdr manuq (bird) · sh pijetao (bird) · ml കോഴി (bird) · abq квтӏу (bird) · kzj manuk (bird) · kl marloraaq (bird) · lt višta (bird) · it cortigiano (coward) · sh petao (bird) · pt cagão (coward) · pcc gais (bird) · mr चिकन (meat) · hi कुक्कुट (bird) · tyz cáy (bird) · jv pitik (bird) · de Poulet (meat) · de Hähnchen (bird) · it pisciasotto (coward) · fi kana (bird) · hsb kurjo (bird) · kaa tawıqlar (bird) · io hano (bird) · sms kääˊnn (bird) · gan 雞 /鷄 /鸡 (bird) · vo dredahijiedan (coward) · zh 雞仔 /鷄仔 /鸡仔 (bird) · mba manuk (bird) · kn ಕೋಳಿ (bird) · be кураня́ (bird) · it femminuccia (coward) · yue 雞 /鷄 /鸡 (bird) · id penakut (coward) · fur poleç (bird) · bg страхливец (coward) · nn høne (bird) · mt tiġieġa (bird) · ar لَحْم دَجَاج (meat) · it pauroso (coward) · tew dee (bird) · mww qaib (meat) · alt куштыҥ эди (meat) · af hoendervleis (meat) · bn মুরগী (bird) · alt таак (bird) · cy cyw (bird) · sk slepačina (meat) · it mammoletta (coward) · hu csirkehús (meat) · lbe аьнакӏи (bird) · it codardo (coward) · de Hähnchen (meat) · de Huhn (meat) · es pollo (bird) · cy iâr (bird) · kbd джэд (bird) · es pollo (meat) · ca pollastre (bird) · hy ճուտ (bird) · kl kukkukuuaraq (meat) · sva ქათალ (bird) · ca pollastre (meat) · be птушанё (bird) · sm moa (bird) · ar دَجَاجَة (bird) · rue курка (bird) · lb Hong (bird) · nn kylling (bird) · kap гуьдаь (bird) · uk курча́ (bird) · ta கோழியிறைச்சி (meat) · bor kagariga (bird) · ast pollu (meat) · bcl manok (bird) · mk кукавица (coward) · lv vista (bird) · sh pile (bird) · ruo puľ (bird) · hy վախկոտ (coward) · xmf ქოთომი (bird) · gug ryguasu (bird) · sh pevac (bird) · hy ղզիկ (coward) · pcd poulhe (bird) · lis ꓮꓸ ꓬꓸ (bird) · kjh таңах иді (meat) · mr कोंबडी (bird) · ka ქათამი (meat) · ja 臼辺鳥 (bird) · zh 雞肉 /鷄肉 /鸡肉 (meat) · es cobarde (coward) · mnc ᠴᠣᡴᠣ (bird) · as কুকুৰা (bird) · blt cáy (bird) · fi jänishousu (coward) · de Hühnchen (bird) · km សាច់មាន់ (meat) · no kylling (meat) · te కోడి (bird) · ky тоок (bird) · fi pelkuri (coward) · ttj enkoko class 9 (bird) · nv naaʼahóóhai (bird) · pt cobarde (coward) · ht poul (bird) · hsb kokoš (bird) · kqr punan (bird) · it vile (coward) · he עוף (meat) · zh 雞 /鷄 /鸡 (bird) · kri fɔl (bird) · et arg (coward) · zza varing (coward) · mk пилешко (meat) · to moa (bird) · sw nyama ya kuku (meat) · sh kokoš (bird) · ru цыплёнок (bird) · kum тавукъ (meat) · om lukkuu (bird) · la pullus (bird) · aho 𑜃𑜢𑜤𑜰𑜫 𑜀𑜩 (meat) · apd جدادة (bird) · sk kurča (bird) · lld gialina (bird) · mh bao (bird) · tr tavuk (bird) · uk ку́рка (bird) · wo ganaar gi (bird) · hy հավի միս (meat) · gl galiña (bird) · aii ܟܬܲܝܬܵܐ (bird) · ru куря́тина (meat) · sh петао (bird) · mfe poul (bird) · mfe poule (meat) · tum nkhuku (bird) · ru ссыку́н (coward) · pdc Hinkel (bird) · kw kig yar (meat) · mww qaib (bird) · sgs vėšta (bird) · alt куштыҥ балазы (bird) · tkr кӏатӏе (bird) · bn মুর্গী (bird) · oc galina (bird) · gu મરઘો (bird) · ur مرغا (bird) · it merlo (coward) · rom khajni (bird) · clt aa (bird) · bg петел (bird) · ee koklo (bird) · akz akaaka (bird) · lis ꓬꓸ (bird) · srn fowru (bird) · rif yaẓiḍ (bird) · nrf poulet (bird) · et kanaliha (meat) · ga circeoil (meat) · tr tavuk (meat) · niv пʼеӄ нонӄ (bird) · wyi djak-djak (bird) · sc puddu (bird) · bg пиле (meat) · bbl ქოთამ (bird) · sh кукавица (coward) · kix vèu (bird) · dz བྱམོ (bird) · hu nyuszi (coward) · cdo 雞囝 /鷄囝 /鸡囝 (bird) · dta kakraa (bird) · rsk кура (bird) · cnk ae (bird) · kld baawul (bird) · vo dredöfan (coward) · ro găină (bird) · fa مرغ (bird) · ccc polyo (bird) · scn puddu (bird) · ca poll (bird) · zyp aa (bird) · my ကြက်သား (meat) · nds Hohn (bird) · it pappamolle (coward) · wa poye (bird) · th ไก่ (bird) · ce котам (bird) · syl ꠝꠥꠞꠥꠉ (bird) · pl kurczak (meat) · sl piščanec (bird) · shn ၵႆႇ (bird) · gl galo (bird) · sl kokoš (bird) · vec polàstro (bird) · khb ᦺᦂᧈ (bird) · ang ċȳcen (bird) · nl wezel (coward) · cja منوء (bird) · te కోడిమాంసం (meat) · fj toa (bird) · nb høne (bird) · niv пʼеӄ (bird) · ckt ярагатԓе (bird) · da høne (bird) · zdj nkuhu (bird) · it eunuco (coward) · lv cāļa gaļa (meat) · kok कुंकड (bird) · no feiging (coward) · so digaag (bird) · it cacasotto (coward) · la gallus (bird) · ak akokɔ (bird) · eu oilasko (bird) · cs posera (coward) · shn ၵႆႇဢွၼ်ႇ (bird) · fr poulet (meat) · mn тахиа (bird) · cs slepice (bird) · ca gallina (coward) · az toyuq əti (meat) · mn тахианы мах (meat) · bxd ɣaʔ³¹ (bird) · ctd aak (bird) · cic akanka' (bird) · fa جوجه (meat) · kw yar (bird) · is kjúklingur (bird) · ovd yöna (bird) · hsb ćipka (bird) · es gallina (coward) · ru бздун (coward) · de Hühnerfleisch (meat) · pt galinha (bird) · fr poltron (coward) · kyi aan (bird) · syl ꠝꠥꠞ꠆ꠉꠣ (bird) · dtp manuk (bird) · hy հավ (bird) · zh 雞肉 /鷄肉 /鸡肉 (meat) · ban siap (bird) · pl tchórz (coward) · it coniglio (coward) · it gallina (bird) · fur gjaline (bird) · rom khajnǒrri (bird) · fy hin (bird) · fi kana (meat) · hy աքլոր (bird) · de Hühnchen (meat) · ksw ဆီ (bird) · niv арфэӄ (bird) · ar دياي (bird) · cdo 雞 /鷄 /鸡 (bird) · nl lafaard (coward) · rap moa (bird) · st nama ya kgoho (meat) · da bangebuks (coward) · blt ꪼꪀ꪿ (bird) · pcd co (bird) · ny nkhuku (bird) · be птушаня́ (bird) · sco chicken (bird) · eo koko (bird) · lus ár (bird) · za gaeq (bird) · de Feigling (coward) · ms manuk (bird) · ha kaza (bird) · fr poule mouillée (coward) · ba тауыҡ (bird) · lv cālis (bird) · hak 雞 /鷄 /鸡 (bird) · bn মুরগি (bird) · sv mes (coward) · el κότα (coward) · syl ꠝꠥꠞ꠆ꠉꠤ (bird) · akl manok (bird) · mnb ayam (bird) · rm poulet (meat) · ja 黄鶏 (meat) · ar دجاجة (bird) · rsk курчецина (meat) · nn kjukling (bird) · da kylling (bird) · yue 雞肉 /鷄肉 /鸡肉 (meat) · lis ꓕꓽ ꓕꓸ (bird) · kha s'iar (bird) · cs kuře (meat) · mrj цӹвӹ (bird) · lg nsósó (bird) · hsn 雞 /鷄 /鸡 (bird) · my ကြက် (bird) · sh kokoška (bird) · kha syiar (bird) · hsb kurjatko (bird) · ka ქათამი (bird) · zh 雞 /鷄 /鸡 (bird) · sh кокошка (bird) · rm pulaster (meat) · pt bundão (coward) · lez верч (bird) · yao nguku class 9/10 (bird) · aii ܟܬܲܝܬܵܐ (meat) · tkl meamoa (bird) · tr piliç (meat) · ibg manu (bird) · hi मुरगा (bird) · ki ngũkũ (bird) · lmo polaster (bird) · bg пиле (bird) · tay ngta (bird) · ckb مریشک (bird) · af haan (bird) · ru трусишка (coward) · is hæna (bird) · niu moa (bird) · id pengecut (coward) · aho 𑜃𑜤𑜀𑜫 𑜀𑜩 (bird) · zom ah (bird) · hac کەرگ (bird) · az toyuq (bird) · id manuk (bird) · bdr manuk (bird) · rw inkoko (bird) · sq pulë (meat) · br yar (bird) · ayz kokok (bird) · be куранё (bird) · mg akoho (bird) · zh җи (bird) · ta கோழி (bird) · vo dredajijiedan (coward) · bg кокошка (bird) · lt bailus (coward) · el κοτόπουλο (meat) · inh котам (bird) · ko 닭 (bird) · de Huen (bird) · eo kokaĵo (meat) · et argpüks (coward) · mk кокошка (bird) · be ку́рыца (bird) · ay chiwchi (bird) · tsg manuk (bird) · vo jidredöfan (coward) · myv сараз (bird) · sh pijevac (bird) · cjy 雞 /鷄 /鸡 (bird) · nb kylling (bird) · gug kupyju (bird) · chy kokėhéaxa (bird) · it pappa molle (coward) · ko 닭고기 (meat) · lis ꓭꓺ (bird) · he תַּרְנְגוֹל (bird) · sl petelin (bird) · ilo manok (bird) · mnw စာၚ် (bird) · sid lukkichcho (bird) · ja 鶏肉 (meat) · fr poulet (bird) · ko 치킨 (meat) · pt covarde (coward) · myp páxaihi (bird) · cs zbabělec (coward) · ja チキン (meat) · ga eireog (bird) · kix vèunyèih (meat) · cjy 雞兒 /鷄兒 /鸡儿 (bird) · rom kaxni (bird) · sh пилетина (meat) · it pusillanime (coward) · ms pengecut (coward) · nah cuanacatl (bird) · bcl manok (meat) · arc ܬܪܢܓܘܠܬܐ (bird) · tby namoro (bird) · ro pui (bird) · enm chekyn (bird) · wal kuttuwa (bird) · af hen (bird) · is hænsn (bird) · nl hoen (bird) · sn huku (bird) · dsb kokoš (bird) · nrf poulet (meat) · cs kuře (bird) · lis ꓭꓸ (bird) · kkh ᨠᩱ᩵ (bird) · de Hue (bird) · mr कोंबडा (bird) · vi gà (bird) · ar فراخ (meat) · it mollusco (coward) · de Huhn (bird) · uz tovuq (bird) · lmo pui (bird) · csb kùra (bird) · ast pollu (bird) · it fifone (coward) · wyi wawert (bird) · mtq ca (bird) · grc ἀλεκτοριδεύς (bird) · br kozh yar (coward) · bg пъзльо (coward) · nl kip (bird) · fi arkajalka (coward) · tts ไก่ (bird) · aoz manu (bird) · bg пилешко (meat) · tl manok (meat) · huz гудо (bird) · ug توخۇ (bird) · bua тахяа (bird) · ace manok (bird) · tts กุฏโฏ (bird) · sq pulë (bird) · tao manok (bird) · mic go'qoli'gwej (bird) · et kana (bird) · sv kyckling (bird) · yi הון (bird) · kum тавукъ (bird) · ar فرخة (bird) · nl hen (bird) · se vuonccis (bird) · haw moa (bird) · sv höna (bird) · fi broileri (meat) · sk kuracina (meat) · rm pulschain (bird) · hi मुर्ग़ (bird) · ee koklolã (meat) · vo gok (bird) · ckb مامر (bird) · sv fegis (coward) · km មាន់ (bird) · de Fiigling (coward) · fa مرغ خانگی (bird) · sv kyckling (meat) · bn মুর্গি (bird) · ms ayam (meat) · ru ку́рица (bird) · de Küchlein (bird) · io hanokarno (meat) · gu કૂકડો (bird) · crh tavuq (bird) · nl lafbek (coward) · bdq iĕr (bird) · it gallo (bird) · da kylling (meat) · mnx berougb (bird) · ta சிக்கன் (meat) · ady кьэт (bird) · uk ку́рятина (meat) · cop ⲉⲣϫ (bird) · smn kääni (bird) · sh kukavica (coward) · dsb kurjetko (bird) · kab ayaziḍ (meat) · af hoender (bird) · iu ᐊ'ᐊ'ᐋᒃ (bird) · ml കോഴിയിറച്ചി (meat) · oj baaka'aakwenh (bird) · da kylling (coward) · txb kranko (bird) · fa ماک (bird) · vo hidredöfan (coward) · ady чэты (bird) · ee koklovi (bird) · el κότα (bird) · pl kura (bird) · twf lìlúna (bird) · sc pudhu (bird) · qu wallpa (bird) · ro pui (meat) · fo høsn (bird) · it pollo (coward) · lis ꓮꓸ ꓭꓸ (bird) · sib diek (bird) · ja 鶏 (bird) · id ayam (meat) · sk sliepka (bird)

wikidata: Q780 · wikidata: Q864693 · wikidata: Q104605901 · wikidata: Q1642639

chicken en · VERB · etymology 2

Pronunciation

chĭk'ĭn (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
(General-American) audio
(Received-Pronunciation) audio
/ˈt͡ʃɪkɪn/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
(Received-Pronunciation) audio
/ˈt͡ʃɪkən/ (Australia, General-American)

Etymology

Shortening of chicken out.

Meanings

(intransitive) To avoid a situation one is afraid of.
- ABE: What are you chucking it for, then? You're running, aren't you? Running, cos you chickened. SLIM: All right, so I chickened. 1968, Aidan Chambers, The Chicken Run: A Play for Young People, Oxford: Heinemann Educational Publishers, →ISBN, act II, scene v, page 81:
- To reach the lower branches of the blackwood one had to swing Tarzan-like across a narrow gully choked with gorse and blackberries. […] [T]he challenge of the rope swing was definitely more in James' line. […] Even if he slipped and failed, or worse, chickened, they would be unlikely to judge too harshly. 2014, Anne M. Brown, “James Day”, in Belonging: The Story of How James Became a Brown, Acacia Ridge, Qld.: Australian eBook Publisher, →ISBN:
- For the umpteenth time, I chickened. 1964, Max Shulman, Anyone Got a Match?, New York, N.Y.: Harper & Row, →OCLC, page 31:

Forms

Spelling	Features	Source
chickened	Tense=Past, VerbForm=Part	lexicographic
chickened	Tense=Past	lexicographic
chickens	Number=Sing, Person=3, Tense=Pres	lexicographic
chickening	Tense=Pres, VerbForm=Part	lexicographic

chicken en · NOUN · etymology 3

Pronunciation

chĭk'ĭn (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
(General-American) audio
(Received-Pronunciation) audio
/ˈt͡ʃɪkɪn/ (General-American, Received-Pronunciation)
(Received-Pronunciation) audio
/ˈt͡ʃɪkən/ (Australia, General-American)

Etymology

From chick + -en (plural ending).

Meanings

(UK, dialectal, form-of, obsolete, plural) plural of chick
form of chick
- The 21 or 22 day the Chicken are hatch'd; […] 1669, Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London: