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pigeon
pigeon common name for members of the large family Columbidae, land birds, cosmopolitan in temperate and tropical regions, characterized by stout bodies, short necks, small heads, and thick, heavy plumage. The names dove and pigeon are used interchangeably, though the former generally refers to smaller members of the family.
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"pigeon." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pigeon." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-pigeon.html "pigeon." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2011. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-pigeon.html |
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pigeon
pigeon1 in allusion to its harmlessness and to the fact that it is easily caught, pigeon in extended use means a person who is easily swindled, a dupe.
pigeon-hole a small compartment, open at the front and forming part of a set, where letters or messages may be left for someone, resembling a roosting recess in a loft for domestic pigeons; in figurative use, a category to which someone or something is assigned. In verbal use, to pigeon-hole may now imply assignment to a category or class in a manner that is too rigid or exclusive. pigeon pair a boy and girl as twins, or as the only children in a family. pigeon's blood a type of precious stone (usually a ruby or opal) of a dark red colour. See also put the cat among the pigeons. |
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ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "pigeon." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "pigeon." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-pigeon.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "pigeon." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-pigeon.html |
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pigeon
pi·geon1 / ˈpijən/ • n. 1. a stout seed- or fruit-eating bird (family Columbidae) with a small head, short legs, and a cooing voice, typically having gray and white plumage. ∎ (also domestic or feral pigeon) a pigeon descended from the wild rock dove, kept for racing, showing, and carrying messages, and common as a feral bird in towns. 2. inf. a gullible person, esp. someone swindled in gambling or the victim of a confidence game. 3. military slang an aircraft from one's own side. pi·geon2 • n. archaic spelling of pidgin. |
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"pigeon." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pigeon." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-pigeon.html "pigeon." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-pigeon.html |
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pigeon
pigeon (dove) Any of a large family of wild and domestic birds found throughout temperate and tropical parts of the world, but concentrated in s Asia and the Australian region. Pigeons have small heads, short necks, plump bodies, and scaly legs and feet. Plumage is loose but thick. Length: to 46cm (18in). Family Columbidae; typical genus, Columba.
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"pigeon." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pigeon." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-pigeon.html "pigeon." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-pigeon.html |
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pigeon
pigeon1 †young dove; bird of the family Columbidae XIV; †young woman, girl; dupe, gull XVI. ME. peion, pyion, pegeon — OF. pijon young bird, esp. young dove (mod. pigeon):- Rom. *pībiō, -ōn-, for late L. pīpiō, -ōn-, f. imit. base *pīp-.
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "pigeon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "pigeon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-pigeon.html T. F. HOAD. "pigeon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-pigeon.html |
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pigeon
pigeon Game bird, Columbia livia; young about 4 weeks old is a squab. A 150‐g portion is an extremely rich source of iron, a rich source of protein, niacin, and vitamins B1 and B2; contains 20 g of fat; supplies 350 kcal (1500 kJ).
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DAVID A. BENDER. "pigeon." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. DAVID A. BENDER. "pigeon." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-pigeon.html DAVID A. BENDER. "pigeon." A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition. 2005. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O39-pigeon.html |
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pigeon
pigeon2 be someone's pigeon be a person's particular responsibility or business; pigeon here is an archaic spelling of pidgin representing Chinese pronunciation of English business.
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Cite this article
ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "pigeon." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "pigeon." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-pigeon1.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "pigeon." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-pigeon1.html |
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pigeon
pigeon n. slang an aircraft from one's own side.
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"pigeon." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pigeon." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-pigeon.html "pigeon." The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military. 2001. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O63-pigeon.html |
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pigeon
pigeon2 see PIDGIN.
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Cite this article
T. F. HOAD. "pigeon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "pigeon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-pigeon1.html T. F. HOAD. "pigeon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-pigeon1.html |
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pigeon
pigeon •Aladdin • stand-in
•Dunedin, lead-in
•Blondin, Girondin
•Odin
•paladin, Saladin
•Borodin • Baffin • elfin
•biffin, griffin, tiffin
•boffin, coffin
•dolphin • endorphin • bowfin
•yellowfin
•muffin, puffin
•ragamuffin • paraffin • perfin
•bargain • Begin • Kosygin
•hoggin, noggin
•imagine • margin • engine
•pidgin, pigeon, smidgen, wigeon
•stool pigeon • wood pigeon • origin
•Pugin • virgin
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"pigeon." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 27 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "pigeon." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (May 27, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-pigeon.html "pigeon." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved May 27, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-pigeon.html |
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