noun
peahen
PEE-hen/ˈpiːhen/
A female peafowl.
The brown peahen has a small crest and green neck.
Etymology
The peafowl name in the first element did not itself specify sex. Hen, extended from domestic fowl to females of other bird species, supplies the distinction that makes this the female counterpart of peacock.
In context
peacocks, where these very elaborate feathers are a way of signaling to members of the opposite sex, the peahens, that this peacock here has favorable traits, is attractive to the peahen
More examples
- Two peahens rest in the shade beside the pond.
- The peahen lays her eggs in a nest on the ground.
- Unlike the peacock, the peahen has no long, showy train.
Forms
peahen · peahens
Similar words
- peafowl
- Names either sex, while peahen specifically names the female.
- hen
- Names a female chicken or other bird, not specifically peafowl.