pigeonhole

(pijən hōl′)

noun

  1. a small recess or hole for pigeons to nest in, usually in a compartmented structure
  2. a small open compartment, as in a desk, for filing papers

transitive verb pigeonholed, pigeonholing

  1. to put in the pigeonhole of a desk, etc.
  2. to put aside indefinitely, as if intending to ignore or forget; shelve
  3. to assign to a category or categories; classify

See pigeonhole in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
  1. A small compartment or recess, as in a desk, for holding papers; a cubbyhole.
  2. A specific, often oversimplified category.
  3. The small hole or holes in a pigeon loft for nesting.
transitive verb pi·geon·holed, pi·geon·hol·ing, pi·geon·holes
  1. To place or file in a small compartment or recess.
  2. To classify mentally; categorize.
  3. To put aside and ignore; shelve.

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