pigeon-breast

A child with pigeon-breast stands up straight in a school health check.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A physical deformity of the chest: "pigeon-breast" refers to a condition where the breastbone (sternum) protrudes outward, resembling the shape of a pigeon's chest. This is also known medically as pectus carinatum.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The doctor diagnosed the child with pigeon-breast, noting the prominent sternum. (A medical condition where the chest bone sticks out.)
  • Exercises can help improve the appearance of pigeon-breast in some patients. (The outward protrusion of the chest.)

Advanced Usage

• "Pigeon-breast" as a descriptive term: In non-medical contexts, it may be used metaphorically to describe any object or structure that curves outward like a bird's chest.
  • The old ship had a pigeon-breast hull, bulging at the front. (The hull curved outward like a pigeon's chest.)

Variants and Related Words

• Pigeon-breasted (adj): having a chest that protrudes like a pigeon's.

  • The pigeon-breasted teenager wore loose clothing to hide his condition. (He had a protruding sternum.)

• Pectus carinatum (n): the formal medical term for pigeon-breast.

  • Pectus carinatum is often less severe than pectus excavatum. (The medical name for the condition.)

Synonyms

• Protruding chest: a chest that sticks out abnormally.
• Keel chest: another descriptive term for the condition, likening it to a ship's keel.

Related Idioms