pouter pigeon
- noun
- /ˈpaʊtər ˈpɪdʒən/
- The pouter pigeon is prized by breeders for its spectacularly puffed-out breast.
Examples
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She keeps several rare pouter pigeons in her dovecote.
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At the bird show, the pouter pigeon attracted much attention for its unusual appearance.
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The pouter pigeon is a unique breed.
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Many pouter pigeons are shown at the fair.
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At the bird show, the pouter pigeon attracted much attention for its unusual appearance.
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The pouter pigeon is prized by breeders for its spectacularly puffed-out breast.
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She keeps several rare pouter pigeons in her dovecote.
Synonyms
A domestic pigeon that puffs out its chest by filling it with air
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning 'a pigeon that inflates its crop' is directly derivable from combining 'pouter' (a pigeon breed that puffs up) with 'pigeon' (the bird). This is a transparent noun-modifier compound following a common descriptive pattern, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the sense.
Etymology
Pouter pigeon comes from the word pouter, because the pigeon puffs up its chest until it looks very large and round. That's why the name means a breed of pigeon that 'puffs up' its 'crop' to show off or attract mates.