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rock dove

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noun
  1. a European pigeon, Columba livia, from which most domestic pigeons have been developed.
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Origin of rock dove

First recorded in 1645–55
Also called rock pigeon.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for rock dove

Historical Examples

  • The rock-dove haunts deep caverns worn out of the cliffs, both inland and on the coast.

    Birds in Flight

    W. P. Pycraft

  • The people here call it the rock-dove, and from its snow-white plumage it forms a conspicuous object along the shores.

British Dictionary definitions for rock dove

rock dove

rock pigeon

noun
  1. a common dove, Columba livia, from which domestic and feral pigeons are descended. It has a pale grey plumage with black-striped wings
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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