turtledove

turtledove
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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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Turtledove — Tur tle*dove , n. [See 1ts {Turtle}.] [1913 Webster] 1. (Zo[ o]l.) Any one of numerous species of pigeons belonging to {Turtur} and allied genera, native of various parts of the Old World; especially, the common European species ({Turtur… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Turtledove — may refer to:*The Turtle Dove, a migratory bird of the Columbidae family. *Harry Turtledove, an historian and author who writes historical fiction, science fiction, and fantasy novels …   Wikipedia

  • turtledove — [tʉrt′ l duv΄] n. [ME < OE turtle, turtla < L turtur, of echoic orig.] 1. any of several Old World wild doves (esp. genus Streptopelia) noted for their plaintive cooing and the affection that the mates are traditionally thought of as… …   English World dictionary

  • Turtledove — Harry Turtledove bei dem 63ten Welt Science Fiction Kongress (Worldcon) in Glasgow im August 2005 Harry Turtledove (* 14. Juni 1949 in Los Angeles) ist ein US amerikanischer Historiker und Roman Schriftsteller, der sich auf die Genres …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • turtledove — /terr tl duv /, n. 1. any of several small to medium sized Old World doves of the genus Streptopelia, esp. S. turtur, of Europe, having a long, graduated tail: noted for its soft, cooing call. 2. See mourning dove. 3. a sweetheart or beloved mate …   Universalium

  • turtledove — tur|tle|dove [ˈtə:tldʌv US ˈtə:r ] n [Date: 1200 1300; Origin: turtle turtledove (10 19 centuries) (from Latin turtur, from the sound it makes) + dove] a type of bird that makes a pleasant soft sound and is sometimes used to represent love …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • turtledove —   Kuhukukū.   See dove.     The voice of the turtle, (archaic for turtledove), ka leo o ke kuhukukū …   English-Hawaiian dictionary

  • turtledove — noun 1. small Australian dove • Syn: ↑Australian turtledove, ↑Stictopelia cuneata • Hypernyms: ↑dove • Member Holonyms: ↑Stictopelia, ↑genus Stictopelia 2 …   Useful english dictionary

  • turtledove — noun Date: 14th century any of several small wild pigeons (genus Streptopelia and especially S. turtur) noted for plaintive cooing …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • turtledove — n. various doves belonging to the genus Streptopelia and having an elongated tail …   English contemporary dictionary

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