Noun
/ˈtɜːrtl dʌv/
A "turtle dove" refers specifically to a type of bird belonging to the family Columbidae, particularly in the genus Streptopelia. Culturally, turtle doves are often associated with love and companionship, symbolizing fidelity as they are known to mate for life. In English usage, the term "turtle dove" can denote both the literal bird and metaphorical representations of love.
Frequency of use is moderate; the term is more commonly encountered in written contexts, particularly in poetry, literature, and religious texts, compared to oral speech.
The soft cooing of the turtle dove could be heard throughout the early morning.
(La suave palpitación de la tórtola se podía escuchar durante la mañana temprano.)
In many cultures, the turtle dove is a symbol of peace and love.
(En muchas culturas, la tórtola es un símbolo de paz y amor.)
At the wedding, they released a pair of turtle doves as a symbol of their everlasting love.
(En la boda, liberaron un par de tórtolas como símbolo de su amor eterno.)
The term "turtle dove" is not widely used in idiomatic expressions, but it does appear in cultural references that symbolize love and fidelity. Below are a few examples:
The couple felt like turtle doves, always together and never apart.
(La pareja se sentía como tórtolas, siempre juntas y nunca separadas.)
On Valentine's Day, many people wish to find their very own turtle dove.
(El Día de San Valentín, muchas personas desean encontrar su propia tórtola.)
Just like the turtle dove, they promised to stand by each other through thick and thin.
(Al igual que la tórtola, prometieron apoyarse el uno al otro en las buenas y en las malas.)
The term "turtle dove" originates from Middle English turteldove, which is derived from Old English turtledūfe. The word "turtle" is thought to come from the Latin turtur, which is a mimicry of the bird's cooing call. The "dove" part is straightforward as it refers to the bird family Columbidae.
Synonyms: - Mourning dove - Wood dove - Turtledove
Antonyms: - There are typically no direct antonyms for "turtle dove" since it designates a specific bird. However, terms that indicate hostility or aggression could be seen as oppositional in a symbolic sense (e.g., "hawk").