egg¹ (ĕg)
n.

1. 1. A female gamete; an ovum. Also called egg cell.
   2. 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.
   3. 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.

tr.v., egged, egg·ing, eggs.

1. To cover with beaten egg, as in cooking.
2. Slang. To throw eggs at.

idioms:

egg on (one's) face Informal.

1. Embarrassment; humiliation: If you do that, you'll end up with egg on your face.

lay an egg Informal.

1. To fail, especially in a public performance.

put (or have) all (one's) eggs in one basket Informal.

1. To risk everything on a single venture.

[Middle English egge, bird's egg, from Old Norse egg.]

eggless egg'less adj.
eggy egg'y adj.

egg² (ĕg)
tr.v., egged, egg·ing, eggs.
To encourage or incite to action. Used with on: The racing fans egged their favorites on.

[Middle English eggen, from Old Norse eggja.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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