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Added 9 October 2026

broody

/ˈbɹuːdi/ adjective

adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about broody at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

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.
Brooding, dwelling upon one's thoughts; moody.

noun

A female bird in the condition to incubate eggs; a broody hen, duck, etc.
There are six broodies in that coop.

Origin

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

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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