columba palumbus

4 definitions found

columba palumbus - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Queest \Queest\, n. [Cf. Icel. kvisa a kind of bird, kvistr a
     branch of a tree, and E. cushat.] (Zool.)
     The European ringdove (Columba palumbus); the cushat.
     [Written also quist, queeze, quice, queece.] See
     Ringdove.
     [1913 Webster]

  Ringdove \Ring"dove`\, n. (Zool.)
     A European wild pigeon (Columba palumbus) having a white
     crescent on each side of the neck, whence the name. Called
     also wood pigeon, and cushat.
     [1913 Webster]

  Dove \Dove\ (d[u^]v), n. [OE. dove, duve, douve, AS. d[=u]fe;
     akin to OS. d[=u]ba, D. duif, OHG. t[=u]ba, G. taube, Icel.
     d[=u]fa, Sw. dufva, Dan. due, Goth. d[=u]b[=o]; perh. from
     the root of E. dive.]
     1. (Zool.) A pigeon of the genus Columba and various
        related genera. The species are numerous.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The domestic dove, including the varieties called
           fantails, tumblers, carrier pigeons, etc., was
           derived from the rock pigeon (Columba livia) of
           Europe and Asia; the turtledove of Europe, celebrated
           for its sweet, plaintive note, is Columba turtur or
           Turtur vulgaris; the ringdove, the largest of
           European species, is Columba palumbus; the Carolina dove
           , or Mourning dove, is Zenaidura macroura; the
           sea dove is the little auk (Mergulus alle or Alle alle
           ). See Turtledove, Ground dove, and Rock pigeon
           . The dove is a symbol of peace, innocence,
           gentleness, and affection; also, in art and in the
           Scriptures, the typical symbol of the Holy Ghost.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A word of endearment for one regarded as pure and gentle.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              O my dove, . . . let me hear thy voice. --Cant. ii.
                                                    14.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. a person advocating peace, compromise or conciliation
        rather than war or conflict. Opposite of hawk.
        [PJC]
  
     Dove tick (Zool.), a mite (Argas reflexus) which infests
        doves and other birds.
  
     Soiled dove, a prostitute. [Slang] Dovecot

columba palumbus - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  Columba palumbus
      n 1: Eurasian pigeon with white patches on wings and neck [syn:
           wood pigeon, ringdove, cushat, Columba palumbus]