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Webster’s Dictionary (1828)



86 words match “DOVE”

DOVE n. 2 definitions
A word of endearment for one regarded as pure and gentle. O my dove, . . . let me hear thy voice. Cant. ii. 14. Dove tick (Zoöl.), a mite (Argas reflexus) which infests doves and other birds. -- Soiled dove, a prostitute. [Slang]
DOVE PLANT n.
merous globose white fragrant flowers. The column in the center of the flower resembles a dove; -- called also Holy Spirit plant.
DOVE'S-FOOT n. 2 definitions
A small annual species of Geranium, native in England; -- so called from the shape of the leaf.
DOVE-EYED a.
Having eyes like a dove; meekeyed; as, dove-eyed Peace.
DOVECOT; DOVECOTE n.
able height above the ground, and having compartments, in which domestic pigeons breed; a dove house. Like an eagle in a dovecote, I Fluttered your Volscians in Corioli. Shak.
DOVEKIE n.
A guillemot (Uria grylle), of the arctic regions. Also applied to the little auk or sea dove. See under Dove.
DOVELET n.
A young or small dove. Booth.
DOVELIKE a.
Mild as a dove; gentle; pure and lovable. Longfellow.
DOVER'S POWDER n.
land (as formerly in the United States) with sulphate of potash, and in France (as in Dr. Dover's original prescription) with nitrate and sulphate of potash and licorice. It is an anodyne diaphoretic.
DOVESHIP n.
The possession of dovelike qualities, harmlessness and innocence. [Obs.] Bp. Hall.
DOVETAIL n. 4 definitions
cking joint between two pieces which resists pulling a part in all directions except one. Dovetail molding (Arch.), a molding of any convex section arranged in a sort of zigzag, like a series of dovetails. -- Dovetail saw (Carp.), a saw used in dovetailing.
RINGDOVE n.
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.
SEA DOVE n.
The little auk, or rotche. See Illust. of Rotche.
STOCKDOVE n.
A common European wild pigeon (Columba ænas), so called because at one time believed to be the stock of the domestic pigeon, or, according to some, from its breeding in the stocks, or trunks, of trees.
TURTLEDOVE n. 2 definitions
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).
BILL v.
To join bills, as doves; to caress in fondness. "As pigeons bill." Shak. To bill and coo, to interchange caresses; -- said of doves; also of demonstrative lovers. Thackeray.
CINQUE PORTS n.
, to which peculiar privileges were anciently accorded; -- viz., Hastings, Romney, Hythe, Dover, and Sandwich; afterwards increased by the addition of Winchelsea, Rye, and some minor places. Baron of the Cinque Ports. See under Baron.
COBWORK a.
Built of logs, etc., laid horizontally, with the ends dovetailed together at the corners, as in a log house; in marine work, often surrounding a central space filled with stones; as, a cobwork dock or breakwater.
COLUMBARIUM n.
A dovecote or pigeon house.
COLUMBARY n.
A dovecote; a pigeon house. Sir T. Browne.
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