pullet
UK[ˈpʊlɪt]US[ˈpʊlɪt]
n
a young domestic hen, especially one less than one year old that has not yet begun to lay eggs.
Etymology
the word "pullet" entered english in the late 14th century from anglo-norman "polet" or "poulet," meaning a young fowl or chicken. this, in turn, is a diminutive of old french "poule," meaning "hen," which derives from the latin "pullus," signifying a young animal or chick. the latin "pullus" is itself from the proto-indo-european root "pol-", meaning "young of an animal." the semantic journey is direct, from a general term for a young animal to its specific application in modern english for a young hen that has not yet started laying eggs.
Analysis
the word is a simplex borrowing from anglo-norman. it does not lend itself to segmentation into productive english morphemes.
Examples
the farmer separated the pullets from the older hens in the coop.
we're raising several pullets this spring to replenish our laying flock.
at the poultry show, the pullet category is for birds under one year of age.