Pigeonries

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A place where pigeons are kept, often for breeding or racing purposes; a term for an area inhabited or frequented by pigeons; a structure specifically designed for housing and protecting pigeons from predators and harsh weather conditions
2. An enclosure or loft meant for the accommodation of pigeons, typically associated with sport or hobby; a location characterized by a significant population of pigeons; refers to the practice of domestication or training of pigeons for various purposes
3. A specialized building or designated location used to raise and care for pigeons; an environment where pigeons commonly gather or reside; a farming system involving the care and management of pigeon species

Etymology: "Pigeonries" is the plural of "pigeonry," a noun formed by adding the suffix "-ry" to "pigeon." The suffix is a common English device for naming a place or collection associated with something: "rookery" for a colony of rooks, "nunnery" for a community of nuns, "piggery" for a place where pigs are kept. Attaching it to "pigeon" produces a word for the enclosure or colony where the birds are housed. Because the suffix does the work, "pigeonry" stays transparent: it needs no special history to explain it, and its meaning follows directly from the two parts. The plural "pigeonries" simply refers to several such structures or colonies.