1. 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.
Phrases and idioms:
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.
Derivatives:
pigeonry n. (pl. -ies).
Etymology: ME f. OF pijon f. LL pipio -onis (imit.) 2. n.1 PIDGIN.
2 colloq. a particular concern, job, or business (that's not my pigeon).