noun
hatchling
Hatchling (noun) means a young animal, such as a bird or reptile, that has just come out of its egg.
noun
1
A young animal, such as a bird or reptile, that has just come out of its egg.
"The hatchling alligator had just broken out of its shell but was already trying to follow its mother, who hunted hatchling birds."
"Hatchling nautiluses emerge, after nearly a year's gestation, as miniature adults and then immediately start swimming around, searching for food in the depths."
— Elizabeth Kolbert, The Sixth Extinction: An Unnatural History (2014)
2
(informal) Someone who has recently realised that they are transgender.
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Etymology
Formed from hatch and -ling. Its second sense refers to the phrase crack one's egg ("realize one is transgender").
Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of hatchling?
"hatchling" (noun) means a young animal, such as a bird or reptile, that has just come out of its egg.
What are the different meanings of hatchling?
"hatchling" has 2 main meanings: 1. A young animal, such as a bird or reptile, that has just come out of its egg; 2. (informal) Someone who has recently realised that they are transgender.
