HEN Meaning and
Definition
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A hen is a female chicken of any age. It belongs to the genus Gallus and is commonly found in various parts of the world. With a relatively small size and a characteristic rounded body shape, hens are typically slighter smaller and less ornate in their appearance compared to roosters, the male counterparts.
Hens are specifically bred for their egg production and are usually raised in farms for commercial purposes or as livestock. They have a short, curved beak, which aids them in pecking and foraging for food. The plumage of a hen varies in color, ranging from brown, white, or black with feather patterns unique to each breed.
Hens typically lay eggs once they reach maturity, approximately at the age of five to six months. The eggs are laid in a nest, and the hen usually incubates them until they hatch. Domestic hens are known for their ability to produce a substantial number of eggs annually, leading to their widespread use in the egg industry.
Apart from their use in egg production, hens contribute to the ecosystem as foragers, feeding on insects, worms, and seeds. They also play a role in balancing pest populations in agricultural areas.
In some cultures, the term "hen" is also metaphorically used to refer to a woman, highlighting the nurturing nature associated with motherhood or caretaking roles.
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The female of any kind of fowl.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for HEN *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for HEN
Etymology of HEN
The word "hen" is derived from the Old English word "henn" which was a gender-neutral term for "domestic fowl". The Old English word is believed to have originated from a Proto-Germanic root word "hanjōną". This root word ultimately comes from the Proto-Indo-European root "kan-" which meant "to sing" or "to call", possibly in reference to the vocalizations of the bird.
Idioms with the word HEN
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hen party
A hen party refers to a social gathering or celebration attended exclusively by women, typically organized to honor and celebrate the bride-to-be before her wedding, similar to a bachelorette party. It is a time for female friends and family members of the bride to come together for a night out or a weekend getaway to have fun, indulge in activities or games, and make lasting memories.
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fussy as a hen with one chick
The idiom "fussy as a hen with one chick" refers to someone who is excessively or overprotectively concerned about small details or being overly attentive and particular. It implies being overly cautious or meticulous, similar to how a mother hen would be when caring for its only chick.
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a hen night
The idiom "a hen night" refers to a pre-wedding celebration for a bride-to-be with her female friends and relatives. It is usually a fun-filled evening or weekend filled with various activities, such as partying, going out, drinking, games, and sometimes involves dressing up in special attire or costumes. The main purpose of a hen night is to celebrate the upcoming wedding and to have a memorable time with the bride before she gets married.
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hen night
The idiom "hen night" typically refers to a celebratory event organized for a woman who is about to be married. It is often a gathering of the bride-to-be and her female friends, involving various activities such as parties, outings, or trips, typically taking place in the evening or night time. The purpose of a hen night is to celebrate the upcoming wedding and provide an opportunity for the bride-to-be to enjoy and bond with her closest female companions before getting married.
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(as) mad as a wet hen
The idiom "(as) mad as a wet hen" refers to someone who is extremely angry or upset. It implies a state of fury that is comparable to the agitation of a hen that has been wetted, as hens typically dislike getting wet and become highly agitated when it happens.
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like a hen with one chick
The idiom "like a hen with one chick" is used to describe someone who is constantly worried or anxious, often excessively so. It implies a mother hen's hyper-vigilance and overprotectiveness towards her single chick.
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a hen night/party
A hen night/party is an idiom used to refer to a festive celebration or gathering held for a woman who is about to get married. It typically involves close female friends and relatives of the bride-to-be and is usually marked by various activities and often includes a night out, dancing, drinking, games, and sometimes themed costumes or accessories. It is a time for the bride and her female companions to enjoy themselves and celebrate before her wedding day.
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a mother hen
The idiom "a mother hen" refers to a person, usually a woman, who is excessively protective, caring, and nurturing towards others. It is based on the behavior of a mother hen who diligently takes care of her chicks, providing them with warmth, shelter, and food while fiercely guarding them from any potential harm. In the context of the idiom, it describes someone who fusses over the well-being of others, often to the point of being overprotective or intrusive.
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like a hen with one chick (or chicken)
The idiom "like a hen with one chick (or chicken)" is used to describe someone who is overly protective, anxious, or overly concerned about someone or something, similar to how a mother hen would be protective and watchful over her only chick or chicken. It implies that the person is overly cautious or worried, often to an unnecessary extent.
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rare (or scarce) as hen's teeth
This idiom is used to describe something that is extremely rare, scarce, or difficult to find. It refers to the fact that hens do not have teeth, so finding hen's teeth would be virtually impossible.
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hen fruit
"Hen fruit" is a colloquial term for eggs, particularly those laid by chickens.
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be as scarce as hen's teeth
The idiom "be as scarce as hen's teeth" means to be extremely rare or rare to the point of being non-existent. Hen's teeth are not actually a thing, as hens do not have teeth, so the idiom emphasizes the extreme rarity of something.
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rare as hen's teeth
The idiom "rare as hen's teeth" is used to describe something that is extremely rare or scarce. It alludes to the fact that hens do not have teeth, making the occurrence of hen's teeth nonexistent and thus extremely rare.
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scarce as hen's teeth
The idiom "scarce as hen's teeth" is used to describe something that is extremely rare or hard to find. It is based on the fact that hens do not have teeth, so something being as scarce as hen's teeth implies that it is nearly impossible to come across.
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hen's tooth
Something that is extremely rare or scarce, as hens do not have teeth, so a hen's tooth would be something that is almost impossible to find.
Similar spelling words for HEN
- Heyen,
- Heine,
- men,
- pen,
- Her,
- hem,
- he's,
- henne,
- henna,
- ten,
- he'd,
- then,
- hewn,
- when,
- hehn,
- he,
- heon,
- Heyne,
- den,
- heiney,
- heim,
- Henao,
- heme,
- heyn,
- henn,
- Hein,
- Hey,
- yen,
- Heaney.
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