dove-cot
Definition
Noun: - A shelter for doves or pigeons: A "dove-cot" is a small, often elevated structure designed to house doves or pigeons. It typically features compartments or holes for nesting and is used for keeping these birds for domestic purposes, such as for their eggs, meat, or as ornamental features.
Usage Examples
- (A shelter for doves or pigeons.)
- (A structure for housing doves.)
Advanced Usage
- "to flutter the dove-cots": This is a figurative expression meaning to disturb or alarm settled, peaceful people or a community, often by causing a sudden disruption or scandal.
- The politician's unexpected resignation fluttered the dove-cots of the village. (It disturbed the tranquility of the local people.)
Variants and Related Words
- Dovecote (n): an alternative spelling of "dove-cot," with the same meaning.
- The dovecote was painted white to match the manor house.
- Dove (n): a type of bird, often white and associated with peace, that is housed in a dove-cot.
- Cot (n): a small shelter or enclosure, as in "sheep-cot" or "dove-cot."
Synonyms
- Pigeon house: a structure for keeping pigeons.
- Pigeon loft: a raised or enclosed area for pigeons.
- Dovehouse: an older term for a building housing doves.
Related Idioms
"To flutter the dove-cots": to cause a stir or alarm among peaceful people.
- The sudden announcement about the factory closure fluttered the dove-cots of the town. (It caused anxiety and disruption.)
"To set the cat among the pigeons": a similar idiom meaning to cause trouble or confusion.
- His comments set the cat among the pigeons at the meeting. (They caused a disturbance.)