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

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

From BBC

A 10-year-old boy and a 73-year-old woman also died after contracting a cryptococcus infection, linked to pigeon droppings, while being treated at the hospital.

From BBC

“There was mounds of dust and a dead pigeon just a year and a half ago,” Sisneros said.

From Los Angeles Times

An entire portion of Interstate 40, near the Tennessee border, collapsed into the nearby Pigeon River; drinking water is scarce and will likely remain so for weeks, per local officials.

From Slate

A 10-year-old boy and a 73-year-old woman died after contracting a cryptococcus infection, linked to pigeon droppings, while being treated at the hospital.

From BBC

Related Words

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