broody
English
Etymology
From (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Middle English *brody, *brodi, from (deprecated template usage) [etyl] Old English brōdiġ (“broody”), equivalent to brood + -y. Cognate with German brütig (“broody”).
Pronunciation
Noun
broody (plural broodies)
- A female bird 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
Adjective
broody (comparative broodier or more broody, superlative broodiest or most broody)
- Of birds: sitting persistently and protectively on a nest, in order to hatch eggs.
- a broody hen
- Of any creature or person: showing an interest in raising young.
Synonyms
- (sitting on a nest to hatch eggs): clucky