chicken

¹chick·en

noun \ˈchi-k^ən, sometimes -k^əŋ\

Definition of CHICKEN

1

a : the common domestic fowl (Gallus gallus) especially when young; also : its flesh used as food — compare jungle fowl b : any of various birds or their young

2

: a young woman

3

a : coward b : any of various contests in which the participants risk personal safety in order to see which one will give up first

4

[short for chickenshit] slang : petty details

5

slang : a young male homosexual

Examples of CHICKEN

1. We had chicken for dinner.
2. It's just a spider, you chicken!
3. Don't be such a big chicken.

Origin of CHICKEN

Middle English chiken, from Old English cicen young chicken; akin to Old English cocc cock

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to CHICKEN

Synonyms: coward, craven, cur, dastard, funk, poltroon, recreant, sissy

Antonyms: hero, stalwart, valiant

Related Words: defeatist, quitter; cream puff, milquetoast, pushover, pussy [slang], weakling, wimp; caitiff, snake, sneak; ostrich, scaramouch (or scaramouche)

Near Antonyms: daredevil

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Other Birds Terms

aerie, bunting, clutch, covey, hackle, ratite, rictus, ruff, skein, zygodactyl