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piccione

pigeon

noun peet-CHOH-neh Rare
Animals & Nature Birds

Origin: Late Latin pipio (young chirping bird)

Usage Note

Piccione is the standard Italian word for pigeon or dove in informal and zoological use; colombo is the more literary or symbolic form (as in colombo della pace, dove of peace). The phrase prendere due piccioni con una fava — 'to catch two pigeons with one bean' — is the Italian equivalent of 'to kill two birds with one stone'. The feminine is picciona.

Examples

"Un piccione si è posato sul cornicione."

Natural Translation

A pigeon landed on the ledge.

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