egg

The definition of an egg is the female reproductive cell in many animals or the thin-shelled oval body laid by hens and other animals.

(noun)

An example of an egg is what gets fertilized during a female's ovulation.

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See egg in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

  1. the oval or round body laid by a female bird, fish, reptile, insect, etc., containing a supply of nutrients, a protective membrane, and, when fertilized, the embryo of a new individual: many kinds of eggs have a thin, brittle shell as an outer covering
  2. a reproductive cell produced by a female animal or plant; ovum
    also called egg cell
  3. the egg of a domestic fowl; specif., the liquid contents of a hen's egg, as used in cooking
  4. a thing resembling a hen's egg
  5. Slang a person: he's a good egg

Origin: ME < ON, replacing native ey < OE æg, akin to Ger ei (pl. eier), prob. < IE base *owjom-, *ojom-, of a bird (> L ovum, Gr ōion) < *awei-, bird (> L avis)

transitive verb

  1. to mix or cover with the yolk or white of eggs, as in cooking
  2. Informal to throw eggs at

transitive verb

to urge or incite: with on

Origin: ME eggen < ON eggja, lit., to give edge to < egg, edge

See egg in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. a. A female gamete; an ovum. Also called egg cell.
    b. The round or oval female reproductive body of various animals, including birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, and insects, consisting usually of an embryo surrounded by nutrient material and a protective covering.
    c. The oval, thin-shelled reproductive body of a bird, especially that of a hen, used as food.
  2. Something having the ovoid shape of an egg.
  3. Slang A fellow; a person: He's a good egg.
transitive verb egged, egg·ing, eggs
  1. To cover with beaten egg, as in cooking.
  2. Slang To throw eggs at.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English egge, bird's egg

Origin: , from Old Norse egg; see awi- in Indo-European roots

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Related Forms:

  • eggˈless adjective
  • eggˈy adjective

transitive verb egged, egg·ing, eggs
To encourage or incite to action. Used with on: The racing fans egged their favorites on.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English eggen

Origin: , from Old Norse eggja; see ak- in Indo-European roots

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