ETYM Old Eng., from Icel. egg; akin to AS. aeg (whence Old Eng. ey), Swed. ägg, Dan. aeg, German and Dutch ei, and prob. to Old Slav. aje, jaje, Latin ovum, Greek eon.
In animals, the ovum, or female gamete (reproductive cell).
After fertilization by a sperm cell, it begins to divide to form an embryo. Eggs may be deposited by the female (ovipary) or they may develop within her body (vivipary and ovovivipary). In the oviparous reptiles and birds, the egg is protected by a shell, and well supplied with nutrients in the form of yolk.
1. Animal reproductive body consisting of an ovum or embryo together with nutritive and protective envelopes; esp. the thin-shelled reproductive body laid by e.g. female birds.
2. Oval reproductive body of a fowl (especially a hen) used as food; SYN. eggs.

1. To coat with beaten egg.
2. To throw eggs at.