Obs. exc. dial. [Of uncertain origin: it has been variously conjectured to be an instinctive sound used in calling chickens, a form of Gaelic bîdeach ‘very small,’ and the same word as prec. Cf. CHICKABIDDY.] A chicken, a fowl. Also dial., a louse.

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1601.  Shaks., Twel. N., III. iv. 128. To. Why how now my bawcock? how dost ye chuck. Mal. Sir. To. I biddy, come with me.

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1875.  Lanc. Gloss. (E. D. S.), Biddy, a louse.

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1881.  Isle of Wight Gloss. (E. D. S.), Biddy or Chickabiddy, a chick.

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1884.  E. P. Roe, in Harper’s Mag., May, 930/2. When a biddy wished to sit, she was removed at night upon the nest.

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