n. 1 any of several large usu. grey and white birds of the family Columbidae, esp. Columba livia, often domesticated and bred and trained to carry messages etc.; a dove (cf. rock-pigeon). 2 a person easily swindled; a simpleton. pigeon-breast (or -chest) a deformed human chest with a projecting breastbone. pigeon-breasted (or -chested) having a pigeon-breast. pigeon-fancier a person who keeps and breeds fancy pigeons. pigeon-fancying this pursuit. pigeon-hawk = MERLIN. pigeon-hearted cowardly. pigeon-hole n. 1 each of a set of compartments in a cabinet or on a wall for papers, letters, etc. 2 a small recess for a pigeon to nest in.
v.tr. 1 deposit (a document) in a pigeon-hole. 2 put (a matter) aside for future consideration or to forget it. 3 assign (a person or thing) to a preconceived category. pigeon pair Brit. 1 boy and girl twins. 2 a boy and girl as sole children. pigeon's milk 1 a secretion from the oesophagus with which pigeons feed their young. 2 an imaginary article for which children are sent on a fool's errand. pigeon-toed (of a person) having the toes turned inwards. pigeonry n. (pl. -ies).
[ ME f. OF pijon f. LL pipio -onis (imit.) ]