mergulus alle

2 definitions found

mergulus alle - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Rotche \Rotche\, n. (Zool.)
     A very small arctic sea bird (Mergulus alle, or Alle alle
     ) common on both coasts of the Atlantic in winter; --
     called also little auk, dovekie, rotch, rotchie, and
     sea dove.
     [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