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pigeon
1[ pij-uhn ]
/ ˈpɪdʒ ən /
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noun
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 pigeon
11350–1400; Middle English pejon young dove <Middle French pijon<Late Latin pīpiōn- (stem of pīpiō) squab, akin to pīpīre, pīpāre to chirp
WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH pigeon
pidgin, pigeonWords nearby pigeon
Pigalle, pig bed, pigboat, pig boiling, pig dog, pigeon, pigeon blood, pigeon breast, pigeon drop, pigeon hawk, pigeon-hearted
Other definitions for pigeon (2 of 2)
pigeon2
[ pij-uhn ]
/ ˈpɪdʒ ən /
noun
(not in technical use) pidgin; pidgin English.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use pigeon in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for pigeon (1 of 2)
pigeon1
/ (ˈpɪdʒɪn) /
noun
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
Word Origin for pigeon
C14: from Old French pijon young dove, from Late Latin pīpiō young bird, from pīpīre to chirp
British Dictionary definitions for pigeon (2 of 2)
pigeon2
/ (ˈpɪdʒɪn) /
noun
British informal concern or responsibility (often in the phrase it's his, her, etc, pigeon)
Word Origin for pigeon
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with pigeon
pigeon
see clay pigeon; stool pigeon.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.