Word: pigeonhole Part of Speech: noun Etymology: The noun is derived from pigeon + hole. The verb is derived from the noun. Pronunciation: /ˈpɪdʒ(ɪ)nhəʊl/, /ˈpɪdʒənˌ(h)oʊl/ 1. One of an array of open compartments for housing pigeons in a dovecote or pigeon loft. Example: Holonyms: pigeon loft, dovecote, columbary, columbarium 2. A hole or opening in a door or wall for a pigeon to pass through. Labels: archaic Example: The loft was lighted by a semicircular hole, though which the pigeons crept to their lodgings in the same high quarters of the premises; […] 'Dear Clym, I wonder how your face looks now?' she said, gazing abstractedly at the pigeon-hole, which admitted the sunlight so directly upon her brown hair and transparent tissues that it almost seemed to shine through her. 3. One of an array of open compartments in a desk, set of shelves, etc., used for sorting or storing letters, papers, or other items. Labels: broadly Example: Abbé [Emmanuel Joseph] Sieyès has vvhole neſts of pigeon-holes full of conſtitutions ready made, ticketed, ſorted, and numbered; ſuited to every ſeaſon and every fancy; […] Example: Blank ink and red ink, pounce, wafers, wax, pens, seals, imbibing-paper, rulers, files, were all there; pegs for hats, shelves and hooks, pigeon-holes full of samples of sugar, of rice, tobacco, coffee, and the like: all the dull paraphernalia of a trader's elaboratory. 4. One of an array of open compartments in a desk, set of shelves, etc., used for sorting or storing letters, papers, or other items. Labels: broadly Example: Fred was disappointed to find his pigeonhole empty except for bills and a flyer offering 20% off on manicures. Example: [H]e walked across Hawthorn Tree Court on his way to the porter's lodge. […] At the lodge he cleared his pigeon-hole. 5. A compartment or cubicle in a room or other place, especially one which is (excessively) small. Labels: broadly Example: The general size of a store in Tangier is about that of an ordinary shower-bath in a civilized land. […] You can rent a whole block of these pigeon-holes for fifty dollars a month. 6. A small opening for looking or passing things through. Labels: broadly Example: However, as my friend came dodging towards my door, I saw him through the usual pigeon hole through which warders speak to their prisoners. 7. A small opening for looking or passing things through. Labels: archaic, broadly 8. A form of stocks with openings for restraining a person's hands or feet; also, one of the openings in the device. Labels: also, attributive, broadly, historical, in-plural Example: [D]ovvne vvith him in his Maieſties name, dovvne, dovvne vvith him, and carry him avvay, to the pigeon-holes. 9. A seat in the top row of the gallery of a theatre. Labels: broadly, obsolete Example: The Play is done: For from the Pigeon-hole / I heard them hiſs the Curtain as it fell. 10. A notional category or class into which someone or something is placed. Labels: figuratively Example: The Beat writers had very different styles and disliked the invented term and pigeonhole forced upon them. Example: Amazon's new pigeonhole for books about unmarried females is far more old-fashioned than the 'New Woman novel' tag deployed in the 19th century 11. A space between two words that is too wide. Labels: archaic, figuratively Example: Theſe vvide VVhites are by Compoſiters (in vvay of Scandal) call'd Pidgeon-holes, and are by none accounted good VVorkmanſhip, unleſs in ſuch caſes of neceſſity, as aforeſaid. […] And if he [a compositor] Sets too VVide, and he chance to Set a VVord to tvvo tvvice over, he may be forc'd to make Pidgeon-holes e're he come to a Break, […]