pigeon blood
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of pigeon blood
First recorded in 1890–95
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As casually as though he were cleaning grains of rice, he sifted through his fingers Colombian emeralds, pigeon blood rubies, old-mind diamonds, tourmalines, citrines, labradorite or pearls.
From New York Times ● Sep. 11, 2012
He had given her a ruby bar, had the clasp of her pearl necklace set with rabies, and last Christmas had presented her with a small but fine "pigeon blood" encircled with diamonds.
From The Avalanche by Atherton, Gertrude Franklin Horn
The most desirable tint among Burmah rubies is that which is known as "pigeon blood" in color.
From A Text-Book of Precious Stones for Jewelers and the Gem-Loving Public by Wade, Frank Bertram
The hubs were set with pigeon blood rubies and the spokes with brilliants; the tires were set with garnets to prevent skidding, and the hood was inlaid with diamonds and emeralds.
From The So-called Human Race by Taylor, Bert Leston
What if white paper were really newer than pigeon blood?
From The Custom of the Country by Wharton, Edith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
