pi´geon|hol´er

pi|geon|hole «PIHJ uhn _HOHL», noun, verb, -holed, -hol|ing.

–n.

1. a) a small place built, usually as one of a series, for domestic pigeons to nest in. b) a small hole in a wall for pigeons to pass in and out.

2. one of a set of boxlike compartments for holding papers and other articles, as in a desk or a cabinet, or standing by itself: »

A frivolous little Chinese pagoda at each side of a compartment of pigeonholes (New Yorker).

3. Figurative. a category or class; classification: »

There's nothing they like better than gathering up…miscellaneous Americans and jamming them all into the same upper-class pigeonholes (New Yorker).

–v.t.

1. to put in a pigeonhole or compartment.

2. Figurative. a) to classify and lay aside in memory where one can refer to it: »

to pigeonhole a witty remark.

b) to put aside, especially with the idea of dismissing, forgetting, or neglecting: »

The plan was pigeonholed and never heard of again.

c) to put into a category or class; categorize: »

Commentators found it difficult to pigeonhole the President as either a “liberal” or “conservative” (Richard Harwood).

3. to furnish with pigeonholes.

–pi´geon|hol´er, noun.