Main Entry: ¹chick·en

Pronunciation: \ˈchi-k^ən, sometimes -k^əŋ\

Function: noun

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

Date: 14th century

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