ˈwood-dove
[Cf. Du. houtduif, G. holztaube.]
= wood-pigeon. Also applied to certain S. African birds allied to this (see quot. 1875–84).
| c 1386 Chaucer Sir Thopas 59 The wodedowue vpon a spray She sang ful loude and cleere. c 1440 Promp. Parv. 531/2 Wode Dowe, or stokk dowe, palumba. c 1530 Songs, Carols, etc. (E.E.T.S.) 114 Whan..curlews cary clothes,..& woddowes were wodknyffis, theves to kyll,..Than put in a woman your trust & confidence. 1729 Savage Wanderer v. 92 While the soft-murm'ring am'rous Wood-Dove cooes. 1837 Macgillivray Hist. Brit. Birds I. 287 Columbas Œnas... Stock Dove. Wood Dove. c 1843 Carlyle Hist. Sk. Jas. I & Chas. I (1898) 74 Melodious as the voice of wood-doves. 1875–84 Layard's Birds S. Afr. 564 Haplopelia larvata. Rufous-breasted Wood-Dove. Ibid. 570 Chalcopelia afra. Emerald-spotted Wood Dove. Ibid. 571 Tympanistria tympanistria. White-breasted Wood Dove. |