turtledove

American  

[tur-tl-duhv] / ˈtɜr tlˌdʌv /

noun

1. any of several small to medium-sized Old World doves of the genus Streptopelia, especially S. turtur, of Europe, having a long, graduated tail: noted for its soft, cooing call.

2. mourning dove.

3. a sweetheart or beloved mate.

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turtledove British  

/ ˈtɜːtəlˌdʌv /

noun

1. any of several Old World doves of the genus Streptopelia , having a brown plumage with speckled wings and a long dark tail

2. a gentle or loving person

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Etymology

Origin of turtledove

1250–1300; Middle English turtildove, equivalent to turtil turtle ² + dove dove ¹

Compare meaning

How does turtledove compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• turtledove vs. mourning dove

Example Sentences

Evelyn Lear, most noted for her flamboyant version of Berg's violently atonal Lulu, becomes a demure turtledove in Schumann's Fair Little Flower.

From Time Magazine Archive

But he acts like a sucking turtledove When I go into his stall.

From Time Magazine Archive

Her expression of love reduced the tenor to turtledove coos: "Oc curru curru curru curru curru."

From Time Magazine Archive

Reserved and unassuming, he is a rare bird in a land famed for flamboyant politicians, was once described by an African magazine as a "turtledove among falcons."

From Time Magazine Archive

“The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land” he read.

From "Ophelia" by Lisa Klein