I. ˈpi-jən-ˌhōl noun
Date: 1577
1. : a hole or small recess for pigeons to nest
2. : a small open compartment (as in a desk or cabinet) for keeping letters or documents
3. : a neat category which usually fails to reflect actual complexities
II. transitive verb
Date: 1840
1.
a. : to place in or as if in the pigeonhole of a desk
b. : to lay aside : shelve
his reports continued to be pigeonholed and his advice not taken — Walter Mills
2. : to assign to an often restrictive category : classify
• pi·geon·hol·er -ˌhō-lər noun