pigeon

¹

[ pij-uhn ]

noun

1. any bird of the family Columbidae, having a compact body and short legs, especially the larger species with square or rounded tails. Compare dove ¹( def 1 ).
2. a domesticated member of this family, as one of the varieties of the rock dove.
3. Slang.
   1. a young, usually attractive, girl.
   2. a person who is easily fooled or cheated; dupe.
4. Poker Slang. a card, acquired in the draw, that greatly improves a hand or makes it a winner.

pigeon

²

[ pij-uhn ]

noun

1. (not in technical use) pidgin; pidgin English.

pigeon

¹

/ ˈpɪdʒɪn /

noun

1. informal.
   concern or responsibility (often in the phrase it's his, her, etc, pigeon )

pigeon

²

/ ˈpɪdʒɪn /

noun

1. any of numerous birds of the family Columbidae, having a heavy body, small head, short legs, and long pointed wings: order Columbiformes See rock dove
2. slang.
   a victim or dupe

Word History and Origins

Origin of pigeon¹

1350–1400; Middle English pejon young dove < Middle French pijon < Late Latin pīpiōn- (stem of pīpiō ) squab, akin to pīpīre, pīpāre to chirp

Word History and Origins

Origin of pigeon¹

C19: altered from pidgin

Origin of pigeon²

C14: from Old French pijon young dove, from Late Latin pīpiō young bird, from pīpīre to chirp

Idioms and Phrases

see clay pigeon ; stool pigeon .

Example Sentences

On the back seat was a pigeon which he tried to gift Tyson - known to keep racing pigeons at his home - during fight week.

From BBC

Between dead drops and TOR, this meant unlike traditional drug rings, no one actually has to meet face-to-face, shielding the operation from undercovers, turncoats and stool pigeons.

From Salon

Nicola added: "People do pigeon hole us. I want to breakdown that stereotype, I have a full and happy life."

From BBC

Pistiwan Jameel, of Birmingham, referred to migrants as "pigeons" and "sticks", and used his contacts with gangs in France to arrange journeys for clients, while collecting payments in the UK.

From BBC

For some reason, in popular culture, like the urban mystery of baby pigeons, there are no adults with autism.

From Salon

Related Words

• deceive
• discriminate against
• dupe
• exploit
• persecute
• pick on
• prey on
• sting