egg

egg

egg¹ [eg]

n.

[ME < ON, replacing native ey < OE æg, akin to Ger ei (pl. eier), prob. < IE base * owjom-, * ojom-, of a bird (> L ovum, Gr ōion) < * awei-, bird (> L avis)]

1. the oval or round body laid by a female bird, fish, reptile, insect, etc., containing a supply of nutrients, a protective membrane, and, when fertilized, the embryo of a new individual: many kinds of eggs have a thin, brittle shell as an outer covering

2. a reproductive cell produced by a female animal or plant; ovum: also called egg cell

3. the egg of a domestic fowl; specif., the liquid contents of a hen's egg, as used in cooking

4. a thing resembling a hen's egg

5. Slang a person [he's a good egg]

vt.

1. to mix or cover with the yolk or white of eggs, as in cooking

☆ 2. Informal to throw eggs at

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egg on one's face

Informal embarrassment due to an obvious blunder

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☆ lay an egg

Informal to fail completely: said of a joke, theatrical performance, entertainer, etc.

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put all one's eggs in one basket or have all one's eggs in one basket

to risk all that one has on a single venture, method, etc.

egg² [eg]

vt.

[ME eggen < ON eggja, lit., to give edge to < egg, EDGE]

to urge or incite: with on