Definition of hen

hennoun

gà mái

/hɛn/

Definition of undefined

The word "hen" has a fascinating etymology. It originates from Old English, where it was spelled "hēn" or "henne". The term referred to a fully grown female bird, particularly a domesticated chicken. The Old English word is thought to be related to the Proto-Germanic "*haniz", which also meant "female". Over time, the spelling of the word evolved to "hen" in Middle English (circa 1100-1500). The term's meaning expanded to include a range of female birds, not just chickens. In Middle English, the word "hen" was also used as a noun to refer to an old woman or a term of endearment for a mother. Today, the word "hen" is still widely used to refer to a female chicken, and its original meaning has been retained in the English language.

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a female chicken, often kept for its eggs or meat

một con gà cái, thường được nuôi để lấy trứng hoặc lấy thịt

Example:
  • a small flock of laying hens

    một đàn gà đẻ nhỏ

  • battery hens

    gà mái pin

Extra examples:
  • I could hear the hens clucking in the farmyard.

    Tôi có thể nghe thấy tiếng gà mái kêu trong sân trang trại.

  • My hens have stopped laying.

    Gà mái của tôi đã ngừng đẻ.

  • The hen laid three beautiful speckled eggs.

    Con gà mái đẻ ba quả trứng có đốm rất đẹp.

  • The hens pecked hopefully at the dusty floor.

    Những con gà mái mổ đầy hy vọng trên sàn nhà bụi bặm.

any female bird

bất kỳ con chim cái nào

Example:
  • a hen pheasant

    một con gà lôi gà mái

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