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Glite Dictionary
cushat

cushat

9.9
A large grey pigeon with white patches on its neck and wings
  • noun
  • /ˈkʌʃət/
  • Archaic
translation icon : tórtola
  • The cushat, with its distinctive white patches, can easily be recognized in the garden.

Examples

  • The cushat is often seen perched on branches in urban parks, cooing softly.

  • During our walk in the countryside, we spotted a beautiful cushat taking flight.

  • PrePaladin, cursed by eerie love, doth seek his blessed cushat-dove;

    Fiction book (1999)

Synonyms

wood pigeon
vscushat
  • UK
1 5.6

A large grey bird with white patches on its wings and neck

is the traditional regional name for that exact species
Columba palumbus
vscushat
  • Specialized
8.7

A large grey pigeon with white patches on its neck and wings found in Europe and Asia

is the common or traditional name rather than the scientific label
ringdove
vscushat
  • UK
9.3

A large dove often found in woodlands with a dark ring or white patches on its neck

refers more generally to the species without stressing the neck ring
culver
vscushat
  • Archaic
9.9

An old word for a dove or pigeon used in poems and old books

is a specific traditional name for that species rather than a general term

Surface Forms

cushat singular
cushats plural

Etymology

The word cushat probably comes from an old imitation of the bird's soft call, with cush sounding like the bird's 'cush' coo, much like cuckoo copies a bird sound. So a cushat is the wood pigeon you hear cooing in the countryside, and the name helps you remember its quiet, peaceful call.