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pigeonhole
(redirected from pigeonholes)

   Also found in: Legal, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia 0.02 sec.
pi·geon·hole  (pjn-hl)
n.
1. A small compartment or recess, as in a desk, for holding papers; a cubbyhole.
2. A specific, often oversimplified category.
3. The small hole or holes in a pigeon loft for nesting.
tr.v. pi·geon·holed, pi·geon·hol·ing, pi·geon·holes
1. To place or file in a small compartment or recess.
2. To classify mentally; categorize.
3. To put aside and ignore; shelve.

pigeonhole [ˈpɪdʒɪnˌhəʊl]
n
1. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Furniture) a small compartment for papers, letters, etc., as in a bureau
2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) a hole or recess in a dovecote for pigeons to nest in
3. Informal a category or classification
vb (tr)
1. to put aside or defer
2. to classify or categorize, esp in a rigid manner
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.pigeonhole - a specific (often simplistic) category
category - a general concept that marks divisions or coordinations in a conceptual scheme
2.pigeonhole - a small compartment
compartment - a space into which an area is subdivided
Verb1.pigeonhole - place into a small compartment
lay, place, put, set, position, pose - put into a certain place or abstract location; "Put your things here"; "Set the tray down"; "Set the dogs on the scent of the missing children"; "Place emphasis on a certain point"
2.pigeonhole - treat or classify according to a mental stereotype; "I was stereotyped as a lazy Southern European"
class, classify, sort out, assort, sort, separate - arrange or order by classes or categories; "How would you classify these pottery shards--are they prehistoric?"

pigeonhole
noun
1. compartment, niche, locker, cubicle, cubbyhole There was a message waiting for me in the hotel pigeonhole.
2. (Informal) classification, class, category, slot (informal) Most musicians are keen to avoid being put in a pigeonhole.
verb
classify, label, characterize, categorize, catalogue, codify, compartmentalize, ghettoize I don't want to be pigeonholed as a kids' presenter.
Translations
pigeonhole [ˈpɪdʒənhəʊl]
A. Ncasilla f; (= set of pigeonholes) → casillero m, casillas fpl
B. VT (= classify) → encasillar, clasificar; (= store away) → archivar; (= shelve) → dar carpetazo a
pigeonhole [ˈpɪdʒənˌhəʊl]
1. n (also) (fig) → casella
2. vt (fig) → etichettare, catalogare

pigeonhole [ˈpɪdʒənˌhəʊl]
1. n (also) (fig) → casella
2. vt (fig) → etichettare, catalogare


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