turtledove

[ tur-tl-duhv ]

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.

turtledove

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of turtledove¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of turtledove¹

see turtle ²

Example Sentences

Just like the way she is using tinsel and turtledoves.

From New York Times

“You ought to have sent word, or told me this morning, and you ought to have remembered how busy I was,” continued Meg petulantly, for even turtledoves will peck when ruffled.

From Literature

Endangered turtledoves have appeared, as have rare bats and owls, beetles and moths.

From Washington Post

Ornithologists kept finding that birds that rely on insects for food were in trouble: eight in 10 partridges gone from French farmlands; 50 and 80 percent drops, respectively, for nightingales and turtledoves.

From New York Times

Who needs two turtledoves or a partridge in a pear tree when there are so many species under the sea, including the seasonally appropriate angelfish?

From The New Yorker