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greyhen

American  
[grey-hen] / ˈgreɪˈhɛn /

noun

British.
  1. the female of the black grouse.


greyhen British  
/ ˈɡreɪˌhɛn /

noun

  1. the female of the black grouse Compare blackcock

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of greyhen

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English; see origin at grey, hen

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The sportsmen cried out, “A hen pheasant!” but a gentleman present, who had often seen grouse in the north of England, assured me that it was a greyhen.

From The Natural History of Selborne, Vol. 1 by Morley, Henry

The bird, however, to which the name of grouse in all strictness belongs is probably the Tetrao tetrix of Linnaeus—the blackcock and greyhen, as the sexes are respectively called.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 12, Slice 6 "Groups, Theory of" to "Gwyniad" by Various

The last pack remembered was killed about thirty-five years ago; and within these ten years one solitary greyhen was sprung by some beagles in beating for a hare.

From The Natural History of Selborne by White, Gilbert

The last pack remembered was killed about thirty-five years ago; and within these ten years one solitary greyhen was sprung by some beagles in beating for a hare. 

From The Natural History of Selborne, Vol. 1 by Morley, Henry

The sportsmen cried out, 'A hen pheasant'; but a gentleman present, who had often seen grouse in the north of England, assured me that it was a greyhen.

From The Natural History of Selborne by White, Gilbert