turtledove

/ˈtər-tᵊl-ˌdəv/ (ame, mw)

turtledove — noun

1. a small wild dove from Africa, Europe, and Asia, known for its gentle call that

1.名詞B2
釋義

a small wild dove from Africa, Europe, and Asia, known for its gentle call that sounds soft and a little sad

例句

Bao woke to the soft cooing of a turtledove outside his bedroom window.

collocation: soft cooing of a turtledove

Megan spotted a turtledove perched on the old stone wall near the olive grove.

同義詞
  • dove

    a more general term; turtledove is one specific kind of wild dove

  • ringdove

    another name for some Streptopelia doves; less common in modern English

用法筆記

Common in poetry, songs, and older literature as a symbol of devoted love. In everyday conversation, most English speakers simply say 'dove.'

常見錯誤

❌I saw a turtledove in Central Park.
✅I saw a mourning dove in Central Park.
💡turtledoves are native to Africa, Europe, and Asia; the similar-looking bird common in North America is the mourning dove.