pigeon-hole noun & verb.
['pɪdʒɪnhǝʊl, 'pɪdʒ(ǝ)n-] L16.[from PIGEON noun1 + HOLE noun1.]A. noun.
1. A small recess (usu. one of a series) for a domestic pigeon to nest in;
transf. a small room, apartment, etc. Formerly also (
Criminals' slang) the stocks; an instrument in which the hands of culprits were confined, when being flogged.
L16-L17.2. In
pl. An old outdoor game, probably in which balls were bowled at small arched apertures. Only in
17.3. A hole in a wall or door for the passage of pigeons;
transf. any of a series of holes for the passage of liquids, escape of gases, etc.
L17.4. Typography. An excessively wide space between words.
slang.
L17-E20.5. Any of a series of compartments in a desk or on a wall, open in front, for keeping and sorting papers, letters, etc.
L17.b. fig. Any of a series of categories for the classification of facts, ideas, people, etc.
M19.■ R. H. Morrieson I had privately consigned Len Ramsbottom to the pigeon-hole 'lousiest typist ever'.6. A seat in the top row of the gallery of a theatre.
rare.
M18-M19.b. verb trans.1. Deposit in a pigeon-hole for later reference;
fig. shelve (a matter) for, or on pretext of, future consideration.
M19.■ B. T. Bradford She pigeon-holed her worry about him, deciding she must concentrate on Francesca.2. Furnish with or divide into a set of pigeon-holes.
M19.3. Assign to a definite place in the memory, or in an ordered group of ideas; categorize mentally.
L19.National Times He was labelled schizophrenic..a diagnosis flung..around..to pigeon-hole misfits. ■ pigeon-holer noun L19. [TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲