[syn: wood pigeon, ringdove, cushat, Columba palumbus]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Ringdove \Ring"dove`\, n. (Zool.)
A European wild pigeon (Columba palumbus) having a white
crescent on each side of the neck, whence the name. Called
also wood pigeon, and cushat.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Dove \Dove\ (d[u^]v), n. [OE. dove, duve, douve, AS. d[=u]fe;
akin to OS. d[=u]ba, D. duif, OHG. t[=u]ba, G. taube, Icel.
d[=u]fa, Sw. dufva, Dan. due, Goth. d[=u]b[=o]; perh. from
the root of E. dive.]
1. (Zool.) A pigeon of the genus Columba and various
related genera. The species are numerous.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The domestic dove, including the varieties called
fantails, tumblers, carrier pigeons, etc., was
derived from the rock pigeon (Columba livia) of
Europe and Asia; the turtledove of Europe, celebrated
for its sweet, plaintive note, is Columba turtur or
Turtur vulgaris; the ringdove, the largest of
European species, is Columba palumbus; the Carolina
dove, or Mourning dove, is Zenaidura macroura; the
sea dove is the little auk (Mergulus alle or Alle
alle). See Turtledove, Ground dove, and Rock
pigeon. The dove is a symbol of peace, innocence,
gentleness, and affection; also, in art and in the
Scriptures, the typical symbol of the Holy Ghost.
[1913 Webster]
2. A word of endearment for one regarded as pure and gentle.
[1913 Webster]
O my dove, . . . let me hear thy voice. --Cant. ii.
14.
[1913 Webster]
3. a person advocating peace, compromise or conciliation
rather than war or conflict. Opposite of hawk.
[PJC]
Dove tick (Zool.), a mite (Argas reflexus) which infests
doves and other birds.
Soiled dove, a prostitute. [Slang] Dovecot
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
ringdove
n 1: greyish Old World turtledove with a black band around the
neck; often caged [syn: ringdove, Streptopelia risoria]
2: Eurasian pigeon with white patches on wings and neck [syn:
wood pigeon, ringdove, cushat, Columba palumbus]