1.
[syn: Australian turtledove, turtledove, Stictopelia cuneata]
2. any of several Old World wild doves;
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Turtledove \Tur"tle*dove`\ (t[^u]r"t'l-d[u^]v`), n. [See 1st
Turtle.]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of pigeons belonging
to Turtur and allied genera, native of various parts of
the Old World; especially, the common European species
(Turtur vulgaris), which is noted for its plaintive
note, affectionate disposition, and devotion to its mate.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The South African turtledove (Turtur albiventris),
and the ashy turtledove of India (Turtur rubicolus),
are similar to the European species in their habits.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zool.) Any one of several species of pigeons more or less
resembling the true turtledoves, as the American mourning
dove (see under Dove), and the Australian turtledove
(Stictopelia cuneata).
[1913 Webster]
Note: The turtledove of the Scriptures is probably Turtur
risorius, a species which is still plentiful in Egypt
and other Eastern countries. It is closely allied to
the European turtledove.
[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):
turtledove
n 1: small Australian dove [syn: Australian turtledove,
turtledove, Stictopelia cuneata]
2: any of several Old World wild doves