chicken
UK[ˈtʃɪkɪn]US[ˈtʃɪkən]
n
a common farm bird kept for its eggs and meat
n
the meat from this bird used as food
adj
(informal) cowardly; lacking courage
Etymology
the word 'chicken' originates from the old english 'cicen' or 'cycen', meaning a young fowl. this old english term is believed to be derived from a west germanic root 'kiukīnam', which itself is a diminutive form, implying a 'young bird' or 'young cock'. the ultimate origin is onomatopoeic, imitating the bird's call. over time, the meaning generalized from specifically a young bird to refer to the species gallus gallus domesticus at any age, while also developing a metaphorical sense for cowardice, likely from the bird's perceived skittish behavior.
Analysis
the word 'chicken' is a simplex word of germanic origin. it is not productively formed from smaller, meaningful morphemes in modern english.
Examples
we keep a few chickens in the backyard for fresh eggs.
would you prefer chicken or beef for dinner?
he was too chicken to go into the haunted house.