egg

I

[[t]ɛg[/t]]

n.

1) dvl the roundish reproductive body produced by the female of certain animals, as birds and most reptiles, consisting of an ovum and its envelope of albumen, jelly, membranes, egg case, or shell, according to species

2) dvl such a body produced by a domestic bird, esp. the hen

3) coo the contents of an egg

4) something resembling a hen's egg

5) dvl Also called egg′ cell`. the female gamete; ovum

6) inf Informal. a person:

He's a good egg[/ex]

7) coo to prepare (food) by dipping in beaten egg

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- egg on one's face lay an egg walk on eggs

Etymology: 1350–1400; ME < ON; r. ME ey, OE ǣg, OOHG ei, Crimean Go ada; akin to L ōvum, Gk ōión egg egg′less, adj. egg′y, adj. pron: egg, like beg and other words where “short e” precedes a “hard g” sound, is pronounced with the vowel (e) of bet except in parts of New England and the South Midland and southern U.S., where these words are frequently said with (-āg), to rhyme with vague and plague. This use of (ā) for (e) occurs esp. in the speech of the less educated and is also heard before (zh), as in measure, pleasure, and treasure. II

egg

[[t]ɛg[/t]] v. t.

to incite or urge; encourage (usu. fol. by on)

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Etymology: 1150–1200; ME < ON eggja to incite, der. of egg edge