from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Turtledove \Tur"tle*dove`\ (t[^u]r"t'l-d[u^]v`), n. [See 1st
{Turtle}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of pigeons belonging
to {Turtur} and allied genera, native of various parts of
the Old World; especially, the common European species
({Turtur vulgaris}), which is noted for its plaintive
note, affectionate disposition, and devotion to its mate.
[1913 Webster]
Note: The South African turtledove ({Turtur albiventris}),
and the ashy turtledove of India ({Turtur rubicolus}),
are similar to the European species in their habits.
[1913 Webster]
2. (Zool.) Any one of several species of pigeons more or less
resembling the true turtledoves, as the American mourning
dove (see under {Dove}), and the Australian turtledove
({Stictopelia cuneata}).
[1913 Webster]
Note: The turtledove of the Scriptures is probably Turtur
risorius, a species which is still plentiful in Egypt
and other Eastern countries. It is closely allied to
the European turtledove.
[1913 Webster]
from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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