Main Entry:

hen

Pronunciation:

\ˈhen\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English henn; akin to Old English hana rooster — more at chant

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: a female chicken especially over a year old ; broadly : a female bird b: the female of various mostly aquatic animals (as lobsters or fish)2: woman ; especially : a fussy middle-aged woman