turtledove

noun

tur·​tle·​dove ˈtər-tᵊl-ˌdəv 

: any of several small, wild, African and Eurasian pigeons (genus Streptopelia and especially S. turtur) noted for plaintive cooing

Examples of turtledove in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In scenes that find the Höss family in repose on the banks of the Sola, sound creates a canopy of futile escapism — the woodpeckers echoing the machine guns, the turtledoves grieving in the trees, the unceasing wails of Hedwig’s baby Annagret. —Michael Andor Brodeur, Washington Post, 28 Feb. 2024

Hello, turtledoves, and welcome back to another edition of This Week in Timothée Chalamet. —Cady Drell, Marie Claire, 21 Dec. 2018

Word History

Etymology

Middle English turtul douve, turtill dowfe "the dove Streptopelia turtur," from turtul, turtill turtle entry 3 + douve, dowfe dove entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

turtledove

noun

tur·​tle·​dove ˈtərt-ᵊl-ˌdəv 

: any of several small wild African and Eurasian pigeons noted for cooing