chicken-fighters

plural noun

variants or less commonly chicken-fights
: the flowers of several violets (as Viola cucullata) one petal of which is spurred

Word History

Etymology

so called from a children's game in which each of two participants tries to decapitate the other's flower by pulling on the stem of his or her own, one spurred petal (likened to a cock's spur) of which is interlocked with that of the adversary's flower

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near chicken-fighters

Cite this Entry

“Chicken-fighters.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chicken-fighters. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!