Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun An object of special concern; an affair or matter.
  • noun Any of various birds of the widely distributed family Columbidae, characteristically having plump bodies, small heads, and short legs, especially the rock pigeon or any of its domesticated varieties.
  • noun Slang One who is easily swindled; a dupe.

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Alteration of pidgin.]

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[Middle English, from Old French pijon, probably from Vulgar Latin *pībiō, pībiōn-, alteration of Late Latin pīpiō, young chirping bird, squab, from pīpīre, to chirp.]

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