columba

columba n

L. columba, pigeon; see Columbus.

1. Messenger fowl; passenger-pigeon; member of the pigeon family; flying creature that found dry land for Noah (see Genesis 8:8-11); [fig.] emblem of peace; sign of deliverance; symbol of the Holy Ghost; [fig.] poet; seeker of truth; [word play] Columbus; explorer who found land in the Americas; [metaphor] Columbia; America; citizen of New England.