資料來源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Dove \Dove\, n. [OE. dove, duve, douve, AS. d?fe; akin to OS.
d?ba, D. duif, OHG. t?ba, G. taube, Icel. d?fa, Sw. dufva,
Dan. due, Goth. d?b?; perh. from the root of E. dive.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) A pigeon of the genus {Columba} and various
related genera. The species are numerous.
Note: The domestic dove, including the varieties called
{fantails}, {tumblers}, {carrier pigeons}, etc., was
derived from the {rock pigeon} ({Columba livia}) of
Europe and Asia; the {turtledove} of Europe, celebrated
for its sweet, plaintive note, is {C. turtur} or
{Turtur vulgaris}; the {ringdove}, the largest of
European species, is {C. palumbus}; the {Carolina
dove}, or {Mourning dove}, is {Zenaidura macroura}; the
{sea dove} is the little auk ({Mergulus alle} or {Alle
alle}). See {Turtledove}, {Ground dove}, and {Rock
pigeon}. The dove is a symbol of innocence, gentleness,
and affection; also, in art and in the Scriptures, the
typical symbol of the Holy Ghost.