turtledove [ tur-tl-duhv ]
noun
1. any of several small to medium-sized Old World doves of the genus Streptopelia, especially S. turtur, of Europe, having a long, graduated tail: noted for its soft, cooing call.
2. mourning dove.
3. a sweetheart or beloved mate.
Origin: 1250–1300; Middle English turtildove, equivalent to turtil turtle + dove dove
EXAMPLES FROM THE WEB FOR TURTLEDOVES
Basil, cucumber, mangoes, the cooing of turtledoves on torrid afternoons, the screech of buses coming to a sudden halt.
ANDRÉ ACIMAN: HOW I WRITE|NOAH CHARNEY|NOVEMBER 28, 2012|DAILY BEAST
I have watched you, and I own a prettier pair of turtledoves I never saw.
THE WOMAN-HATER|CHARLES READE
Well, perhaps we can compensate them for it, and allow these turtledoves to make the last trip—the trip to the stake—together.
HENRY VIII AND HIS COURT|LOUISE MUHLBACH
She had much to say of dew and roses, turtledoves and the arrows of Cupid.
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, AND TALES FROM HOME|BAYARD TAYLOR
She had secretly offered up her humble sacrifice—her pair of turtledoves; and she knew not that her secret was known.
ALL SORTS AND CONDITIONS OF MEN|WALTER BESANT
Yet I will not answer for it that we shall spend our life like a pair of turtledoves.
LIFE OF ELIE METCHNIKOFF, 1845-1916|OLGA METCHNIKOFF
Now YOU come up with a sentence (or fic? or graphic?) that best illustrates the word.