broody

English

Etymology

From Middle English *brody, *brodi, from Old English brōdiġ (“broody”), equivalent to brood +‎ -y. Cognate with German brütig (“broody”).

Pronunciation

• Rhymes: -uːdi

Noun

broody (plural broodies)

1. (Poultry) A female bird which is in the condition to incubate eggs; a broody hen, duck, etc.

   There are six broodies in that coop.

Translations

female bird in the condition to incubate eggs

• Scottish Gaelic: (hen) cearc-ghur (gd) f

Adjective

broody (comparative broodier or more broody, superlative broodiest or most broody)

1. (Of birds) sitting persistently and protectively on a nest, in order to hatch eggs (eg, 'a broody hen').
2. (Of any creature or person) acting interested in raising young.

Synonyms

• (sitting on a nest to hatch eggs): clucky
• (interested in raising young): baby rabies, one's biological clock is ticking

Anagrams

• doobry