First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1brood
noun \ˈbrüd\
: a group of young birds (such as chickens) that were all born at the same time
: the children in someone's family
Full Definition of BROOD
1
: the young of an animal or a family of young; especially : the young (as of a bird or insect) hatched or cared for at one time
2
: a group having a common nature or origin
3
: the children of a family
See brood defined for English-language learners
See brood defined for kids
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Origin of BROOD
Middle English, from Old English brōd; akin to Middle High German bruot brood and perhaps to Old English beorma yeast — more at barm
2brood
adjective
Definition of BROOD
: kept for breeding <a brood flock>
First Known Use of BROOD
15th century
3brood
verb
: to think a lot about something in an unhappy way
Full Definition of BROOD
transitive verb
1
a : to sit on or incubate (eggs) b : to produce by or as if by incubation : hatch
2
of a bird : to cover (young) with the wings
3
: to think anxiously or gloomily about : ponder
intransitive verb
1
a of a bird : to brood eggs or young b : to sit quietly and thoughtfully : meditate
3
a : to dwell gloomily on a subject b : to be in a state of depression
— brood·ing·ly \ˈbrü-diŋ-lē\ adverb
See brood defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BROOD
15th century
BROODING Defined for Kids
1brood
verb \ˈbrüd\
brood·edbrood·ing
Definition of BROOD for Kids
1
: to sit on eggs to hatch them
2
: to cover (young) with the wings for warmth and protection <a hen brooding her chicks>
3
: to think long and anxiously about something <She brooded over her mistake.>
2brood
noun
Definition of BROOD for Kids
1
: the young of birds hatched at the same time <a brood of chicks>
2
: a group of young children or animals having the same mother
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