pigeon

Everyday

1. A grey (or brown and white) bird with a small head and a round body, very common in towns and cities. tree →
2. (homing/carrier pigeon) A pigeon trained to fly home over long distances, once used to carry messages. tree →

In the lessons

In science and history: pigeons can find their way home from far away; in wars they carried messages. In towns: don't feed pigeons where it's not allowed, and wash your hands after touching them. Phrases: «homing pigeon», «carrier pigeon», «pigeon-toed» (feet turned inwards), «pigeonhole» (a small box for letters).

Examples

• Pigeons were pecking at crumbs in the square. tree →
• A carrier pigeon carried the message across the sea. tree →
• Homing pigeons can fly home from hundreds of kilometres away. tree →
• The pigeon cooed on the windowsill. tree →
• Please don't feed the pigeons here. tree →
• Put your letters in the teacher's pigeonhole. tree →
• And close upon them followed three pigeons. tree →

Note

Countable. Spelling: «-geon» like «surgeon»; said PIJ-in. Pigeons and doves are the same family; doves are usually smaller and white.

In Jewish tradition

Poor people brought turtle-doves or young pigeons as burnt-offerings and sin-offerings.

Interpretation. The rabbis admire this law because the poor person's small gift is as welcome to God as a rich person's bull.

Examples

• And he shall offer one of the turtle-doves, or of the young pigeons, such as his means suffice for; (Torah LEV.14.30, JPS 1917) tree →
• And if his offering to the LORD be a burnt-offering of fowls, then he shall bring his offering of turtle-doves, or of young pigeons. (Torah LEV.1.14, JPS 1917) tree →
• and two turtle-doves, or two young pigeons, such as his means suffice for; and the one shall be a sin-offering, and the other a burnt-offering. (Torah LEV.14.22, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Countable. Spelling: «-geon» like «surgeon»; said PIJ-in. Pigeons and doves are the same family; doves are usually smaller and white.