The DICT Development Group

  Ringdove \Ring"dove`\, n. (Zool.)
     A European wild pigeon ({Columba palumbus) having a white
     crescent on each side of the neck, whence the name. Called
     also wood pigeon, and cushat.
     [1913 Webster]

  Dove \Dove\ (d[u^]v), n. [OE. dove, duve, douve, AS. d[=u]fe;
     akin to OS. d[=u]ba, D. duif, OHG. t[=u]ba, G. taube, Icel.
     d[=u]fa, Sw. dufva, Dan. due, Goth. d[=u]b[=o]; perh. from
     the root of E. dive.]
     1. (Zool.) A pigeon of the genus Columba and various
        related genera. The species are numerous.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The domestic dove, including the varieties called
           fantails, tumblers, carrier pigeons, etc., was
           rock+pigeon+({Columba+livia">derived from the rock pigeon ({Columba livia) of
           Europe and Asia; the turtledove of Europe, celebrated
           for its sweet, plaintive note, is Columba turtur or
           Turtur vulgaris; the ringdove, the largest of
           European species, is Columba palumbus; the Carolina
           dove, or Mourning dove, is Zenaidura macroura; the
           sea+dove+is+the+little+auk+({Mergulus+alle">sea dove is the little auk ({Mergulus alle or Alle
           alle). See Turtledove, Ground dove, and Rock
           pigeon. The dove is a symbol of peace, innocence,
           gentleness, and affection; also, in art and in the
           Scriptures, the typical symbol of the Holy Ghost.
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A word of endearment for one regarded as pure and gentle.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              O my dove, . . . let me hear thy voice. --Cant. ii.
                                                    14.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. a person advocating peace, compromise or conciliation
        rather than war or conflict. Opposite of hawk.
        [PJC]
  
     Dove+tick+(Zool.),+a+mite+({Argas+reflexus">Dove tick (Zool.), a mite ({Argas reflexus) which infests
        doves and other birds.
  
     Soiled dove, a prostitute. [Slang] Dovecot

  ringdove
      n 1: greyish Old World turtledove with a black band around the
           neck; often caged [syn: ringdove, Streptopelia risoria]
      2: Eurasian pigeon with white patches on wings and neck [syn:
         wood pigeon, ringdove, cushat, Columba palumbus]