hen 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. øhen
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. [OE henn f. WG]