Hen

hen, n. the female of any bird, esp. of the domestic fowl.— ns. Hen′bane , a coarse annual or biennial herb of the nightshade family, poisonous, esp. to domestic fowls; Hen′coop , a coop or large cage for domestic fowls; Hen′-driv′er , Hen′-harr′ier , a species of falcon, the common harrier.— adj. Hen′-heart′ed , timid as a hen: cowardly.— ns. Hen′-house , a house, coop, or shelter for fowls; Hen′-hu ′y , a man who meddles with women's affairs; Hen′-mould , a black, spongy soil; Hen′nery , a place where fowls are kept.— adj. Hen′ny , like a hen, feathered.— v.t. Hen′peck , of a wife, to domineer over her husband.— n. the subjection of a husband to his wife.— adj. Hen′pecked , weakly subject to his wife.— ns. Henpeck′ery , the state of being henpecked; Hen′-roost , a place where poultry roost at night; Hen′wife , Hen′-wom′an , a woman who has the charge of poultry. [A.S. henn — han a , a cock; Ger. hahn , fem. henne .]