pigeon1
[pij-uh n]
- any bird of the family Columbidae, having a compact body and short legs, especially the larger species with square or rounded tails.Compare dove1(def 1).
- a domesticated member of this family, as one of the varieties of the rock dove.
- Slang.
- a young, usually attractive, girl.
- a person who is easily fooled or cheated; dupe.
- Poker Slang. a card, acquired in the draw, that greatly improves a hand or makes it a winner.
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Origin of pigeon1
1350–1400; Middle English pejon young dove < Middle French pijon < Late Latin pīpiōn- (stem of pīpiō) squab, akin to pīpīre, pīpāre to chirp
pigeon2
[pij-uh n]
- (not in technical use) pidgin; pidgin English.
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Related Words
unarmed, helpless, unprotected, doormat, dupe, puppet, stooge, patsy, pawn, lackey, victim, mark, martyr, fatality, casualty, sufferer, fowl, duck, chicken, geeseExamples from the Web for pigeon
Contemporary Examples
One of the first stories I ever did for The Times Magazine was about pigeon control “Pigeon Wars.”
For her inaugural menu, she planned crayfish with mayonnaise, pigeon with peas, and an apple brioche flambéed in rum.
Another notable region is nicknamed “Pigeon Valley” for the thousands of bird nesting holes dug into the pliable rock.
The Secret Life of Cappadocia: Underground in the Turkish Rock FormationsNina Strochlic
August 22, 2013
The Queen, who has a pigeon loft with about 250 birds, is patron of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association (RPRA).
The Saudis were salivating for North American birds, and Mr. Galbraith's Pigeon King enterprise would satisfy the hunger.
Historical Examples
This, however, was before I had brought the Pigeon Charmer into the car.
The UnderdogF. Hopkinson Smith
Pies may be made of any of these birds in the same manner as a pigeon pie.
Directions for Cookery, in its Various BranchesEliza Leslie
She is not so infallible a markswoman, but that she might shoot at a crow and kill a pigeon.
Maid MarianThomas Love Peacock
Do you follow gently, and if there be a pigeon in the pot in all Germany.
Vivian GreyEarl of Beaconsfield, Benjamin Disraeli
The figure represents the back of the pigeon; and the direction of the knife is in the line c, b, by a, if done the last way.
pigeon1
- any of numerous birds of the family Columbidae, having a heavy body, small head, short legs, and long pointed wings: order ColumbiformesSee rock dove
- slang a victim or dupe
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Word Origin
C14: from Old French pijon young dove, from Late Latin pīpiō young bird, from pīpīre to chirp
pigeon2
- British informal concern or responsibility (often in the phrase it's his, her, etc, pigeon)
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Word Origin
C19: altered from pidgin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for pigeon
n.
late 14c. (early 13c. as a surname), from Old French pigeon "young dove" (13c.), probably from Vulgar Latin *pibionem, dissimilation from Late Latin pipionem (nominative pipio) "squab, young chirping bird" (3c.), from pipire "to peep, chirp," of imitative origin. Meaning "one easily duped" is from 1590s. Replaced culver (Old English culufre, from Vulgar Latin *columbra, from Latin columbula) and native dove.
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Idioms and Phrases with pigeon
pigeon
see clay pigeon; stool pigeon.
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The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.