pigeon-house

A pigeon-house stands in the corner of a peaceful garden.

Definition

Noun:
A pigeon-house is a structure or building designed to house pigeons, typically containing compartments or nesting boxes for the birds. It is often used for domesticating pigeons, whether for breeding, racing, or as ornamental birds.

Usage Examples

• (A shelter for domesticated pigeons.)
• (A structure for housing pigeons that was no longer maintained.)

Advanced Usage

• "to keep a pigeon-house": to maintain or manage a structure for pigeons.

  • She has kept a pigeon-house for years, raising birds for local competitions. (She has managed a pigeon shelter for a long time.)

• "pigeon-house loft": a specific term for the upper part or floor of a pigeon-house where pigeons roost.

  • The pigeon-house loft was cleaned weekly to prevent disease. (The upper nesting area was maintained regularly.)

Variants and Related Words

• Pigeon (n): a bird of the family Columbidae, often domesticated.

  • The pigeon landed on the roof of the pigeon-house. (The bird returned to its shelter.)

• Pigeonry (n): a place where pigeons are kept; synonymous with pigeon-house.

  • The estate had a grand pigeonry with dozens of birds. (A large structure for pigeons.)

• Pigeonhole (n): a small compartment, often used metaphorically for categorization.

  • Each pigeon had its own pigeonhole in the pigeon-house. (Each bird had a designated nesting box.)

Synonyms

• Dovecote: a structure for housing doves or pigeons, often smaller and more decorative.

  • The medieval dovecote was built of stone and housed hundreds of birds. (A synonymous term for pigeon-house.)

• Pigeon loft: a specific term for the upper part of a pigeon-house, often used interchangeably.

  • The pigeon loft was ventilated to keep the birds healthy. (A synonym for the entire structure in some contexts.)

Related Idioms

• "Like a pigeon in a pigeon-house": describing someone who is confined or restricted.

  • He felt like a pigeon in a pigeon-house, trapped in his small office all day. (Feeling confined or limited.)

• "To fly the pigeon-house": to leave or escape from a restrictive situation.

  • When the job became unbearable, she decided to fly the pigeon-house and start her own business. (To escape a confining environment.)