chicken

Definition

A domesticated subspecies of red junglefowl (Gallus gallus domesticus).

Etymology

From Middle English chiken (also as chike > English chick), from Old English ċicen, ċycen (“chicken”), of uncertain origin. Possibly from Proto-West Germanic *kiukīn (“chicken”), or alternatively from Proto-West Germanic *kukkīn, equivalent to cock + -en. Compare North Frisian schückling (“chicken”), Saterland Frisian Sjuuken (“chicken”), Dutch kuiken (“chick, chicken”), German Low German Küken (“chick”), whence German Küken (“chick”), (elevated, obsolete) German Küchlein (“chick”) and Old Norse kjúklingr (“chicken”).

Example Sentences

• "backyard chickens"
• "barnyard chickens"
• "Some chickens lay eggs almost every day. […] Chickens are kept for their meat, too."

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