pigeon

Meanings

Noun

• One of several birds of the family Columbidae, which consists of more than 300 species.
• The meat from this bird.
• A person who is a target or victim of a confidence game.
• A pacifist, appeaser, an isolationist, a dove.
• Concern or responsibility.

Verb

• To deceive with a confidence game.

Origin

• From Middle English pygeoun, pygyne, pegyon, from Old French pijon, pyjon, from Late Latin pīpiōnem, accusative singular of Latin pīpiō, from pīpiō.
• From pidgin English, from a Chinese Pidgin English pronunciation of English business during trade in the Far East. See pidgin.