chicken

chicken [chik′ən]

n.

[ME chicken < OE cycen < WGmc * kiukina < * kiuk-; like COCK¹, of echoic orig.; akin to MLowG kûken (Du kuiken, kieken)]

1. a common gallinaceous farm bird (Gallus domesticus) raised for its edible eggs or flesh; hen or rooster, esp. a young one: classed in a family (Phasianidae) that includes pheasants, quail, and peafowl

2. the flesh of this bird

3. any young bird; chick

4. a young or inexperienced person

5. Slang

a) a timid or cowardly person

b) a young male homosexual

6. [< CHICKENSHIT] Mil. Slang petty insistence on rules

adj.

1. made of chicken [chicken croquettes]

2. small and tender [a chicken lobster]

3. Slang timid or cowardly

☆ 4. [cf. CHICKEN n. 6] Mil. Slang characterized by unnecessary discipline or pettiness

vi.

☆ Slang to lose courage and abandon a plan or action: usually with out

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count one's chickens before they are hatched

to count on something that may not materialize

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☆ play chicken

1. to engage in a test of courage in which, typically, two vehicles are driven directly toward one another in order to see which driver will swerve away first

2. Slang to engage in mutual challenges or threats, hoping the opponent will withdraw before actual conflict or collision