Mourning dove

Mourning dove
Dove Dove (d[u^]v), n. [OE. dove, duve, douve, AS. d[=u]fe; akin to OS. d[=u]ba, D. duif, OHG. t[=u]ba, G. taube, Icel. d[=u]fa, Sw. dufva, Dan. due, Goth. d[=u]b[=o]; perh. from the root of E. dive.] 1. (Zo["o]l.) A pigeon of the genus {Columba} and various related genera. The species are numerous. [1913 Webster]

Note: The domestic dove, including the varieties called {fantails}, {tumblers}, {carrier pigeons}, etc., was derived from the {rock pigeon} ({Columba livia}) of Europe and Asia; the {turtledove} of Europe, celebrated for its sweet, plaintive note, is {Columba turtur} or {Turtur vulgaris}; the {ringdove}, the largest of European species, is {Columba palumbus}; the {Carolina dove}, or {Mourning dove}, is {Zenaidura macroura}; the {sea dove} is the little auk ({Mergulus alle} or {Alle alle}). See {Turtledove}, {Ground dove}, and {Rock pigeon}. The dove is a symbol of peace, innocence, gentleness, and affection; also, in art and in the Scriptures, the typical symbol of the Holy Ghost. [1913 Webster]

2. A word of endearment for one regarded as pure and gentle. [1913 Webster]

O my dove, . . . let me hear thy voice. --Cant. ii. 14. [1913 Webster]

3. a person advocating peace, compromise or conciliation rather than war or conflict. Opposite of {hawk}. [PJC]

{Dove tick} (Zo["o]l.), a mite ({Argas reflexus}) which infests doves and other birds.

{Soiled dove}, a prostitute. [Slang]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Mourning Dove — Conservation status Least Concern (IU …   Wikipedia

  • Mourning dove — Mourning Mourn ing, a. 1. Grieving; sorrowing; lamenting. [1913 Webster] 2. Employed to express sorrow or grief; worn or used as appropriate to the condition of one bereaved or sorrowing; as, mourning garments; a mourning ring; a mourning pin,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • mourning dove — ☆ mourning dove n. a gray wild dove (Zenaida macroura) of the U.S.: so called because its cooing sounds mournful …   English World dictionary

  • mourning dove — a dove, Zenaidura macroura, of North America, noted for its plaintive cooing. [1825 35, Amer.] * * * Species (Zenaida macroura) of pigeon (family Columbidae), the common wild pigeon of North America. They have long, pointed tails, and the sides… …   Universalium

  • mourning dove — noun A grey coloured dove, Zenaida macroura, that has a mournful call, native to North America Syn: American mourning dove, Carolina pigeon, Carolina turtledove …   Wiktionary

  • Mourning Dove (author) — Mourning Dove was a Native American author and best known for her 1927 novel mixed blood ranch woman on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The novel is one of the first written by a Native American[1] woman and one of few early Native American… …   Wikipedia

  • mourning dove — mourn′ing dove n. orn a dove, Zenaida (Zenaidura) macroura, of North America, noted for its plaintive cooing • Etymology: 1825–35, amer …   From formal English to slang

  • mourning dove — noun wild dove of the United States having a mournful call • Syn: ↑Zenaidura macroura • Hypernyms: ↑dove • Member Holonyms: ↑Zenaidura, ↑genus Zenaidura …   Useful english dictionary

  • mourning dove — noun Date: 1833 an American dove (Zenaida macroura) with a pointed tail and a plaintive coo …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • mourning dove — n. wild North American dove with a plaintive mournful call …   English contemporary dictionary

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