'Mourning dove' definitions:

Definition of 'mourning dove'

From: WordNet
noun
Wild dove of the United States having a mournful call [syn: mourning dove, Zenaidura macroura]

Definition of 'Mourning dove'

From: GCIDE
  • Mourning \Mourn"ing\, a.
  • 1. Grieving; sorrowing; lamenting. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Employed to express sorrow or grief; worn or used as appropriate to the condition of one bereaved or sorrowing; as, mourning garments; a mourning ring; a mourning pin, and the like. [1913 Webster]
  • Mourning bride (Bot.), a garden flower ({Scabiosa atropurpurea}) with dark purple or crimson flowers in flattened heads.
  • Mourning dove (Zool.), a wild dove (Zenaidura macroura) found throughout the United States; -- so named from its plaintive note. Called also Carolina dove. See Illust. under Dove.
  • Mourning warbler (Zool.), an American ground warbler (Geothlypis Philadelphia). The male has the head, neck, and chest, deep ash-gray, mixed with black on the throat and chest; other lower parts are pure yellow. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Mourning dove'

From: GCIDE
  • 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 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 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) which infests doves and other birds.
  • Soiled dove, a prostitute. [Slang] Dovecot