clay pigeon noun

(often shortened to clay) a saucer-shaped disc (usu made of pitch and powdered limestone) thrown from a spring-loaded trap and shot at as a substitute for various types of game bird

clayˈ-pit noun

A pit from which clay is dug

clay road noun (NZ)

An unmetalled road

clayˈ-slate noun

Hard, fissile argillaceous rock

feet of clay (figurative)

Faults and weaknesses of character not at first apparent or suspected

wet one's clay

To drink

pigeon¹ /pijˈən or -in/

1. Orig a young dove
2. A dove
3. Any bird of the dove family
4. Extended to various other birds (eg the Cape pigeon)
5. A girl (obsolete)
6. Someone who is fleeced (slang)
7. Short for stool pigeon (see under stool)

To gull or hoax

pigˈeonry noun

A place for keeping pigeons

pigˈeon-berry noun (US)

Pokeweed or its fruit

pigˈeon-breastˈed or pigˈeon-chested adjective

Having a narrow chest with the breastbone projecting

pigeon breast or pigeon chest noun

pigˈeon-fancier noun

Someone who keeps and breeds pigeons for racing or exhibiting

pigˈeon-fancying noun

pigˈeon-flier or pigˈeon-flyer noun

Someone who sends out homing pigeons

pigˈeon-flying noun

pigˈeon-heartˈed adjective

Timid

pigˈeonhole noun

1. A compartment for storing and classifying papers, for leaving letters, etc
2. A compartment of the mind or memory
3. A niche for a pigeon's nest
4. A hole of similar appearance
5. (in pl) the stocks
6. (in pl) an old outdoor game like bagatelle

transitive verb

1. To put into a pigeonhole
2. To classify methodically, or too rigidly
3. To lay aside and delay action on, or treat with neglect
4. To furnish with or make into pigeonholes

pigˈeonholer noun

pigˈeon-house noun

A dovecot

pigˈeon-livˈered adjective

Mild

pigeon pair noun

Boy and girl twins or a boy and girl as sole children in a family

pigeon pea noun

Dal

pigˈeon-post noun

Transmission of letters by pigeons

pigˈeon's-blood noun

A dark red colour, ruby

pigeon's milk noun

1. Partly digested food regurgitated by pigeons to feed their young
2. An imaginary liquid for which children are sent, eg on 1 April

pigˈeon-toed adjective

1. Having the toes more or less turned inward
2. (of birds) having all toes at one level

pigˈeon-wing noun

A caper or leap in dancing

clay pigeon see under clay