pigeonholedadj.
/ˈpɪdʒ(ᵻ)nhəʊld/, U.S. /ˈpɪdʒ(ə)nˌ(h)oʊld/ 1. Furnished with pigeonholes; (figurative) organized according to a rigid system of classification.
ΘΚΠ
the world > space > relative position > condition of being external > enclosing or enclosure > [adjective] > having compartments or chambers
chambereda1382
cellulara1728
multilocular1754
cellated1832
pigeonholed1848
compartmented1851
multi-camerate1878
multiloculate1890
multiloculated1899
the world > relative properties > wholeness > mutual relation of parts to whole > separation > action of dividing or divided condition > [adjective] > divided > divided into sections or compartments
cellular1745
comparted1823
pigeonholed1848
compartmented1851
compartmentalized1925
sectionalized1937
cellularized1942
the world > space > relative position > condition of being open or not closed > an opening or aperture > [adjective] > having (a) hole(s) > having (a) small hole(s)
eyelet-holed1590
oilleted1631
eyed1737
eyeleted1839
pigeonholed1886
1848 M. W. Savage Bachelor of Albany xvii. 192 It was a pigeon-holed, alphabeted mind.
1886 W. J. Tucker Life E. Europe 120 A dozen large, clumsy-looking desks, with a variety of pigeon-holed shelves.
1980 Christian Sci. Monitor (Nexis) 28 Jan. (Midwestern ed.) b6 The massive, pigeon-holed desk Webster used.
1991 Healing & Wholeness Jan. 12/1 I conclude with a story which recently showed me how pigeon-holed was my understanding of God's healing work.
2.
a. That has been put in a pigeonhole; (figurative) that has been classified, esp. in a rigid or presumptive manner.
ΚΠ
1861 Harper's Mag. Aug. 348/1 Events [must] be recognized only when ticketed and red-taped and pigeon-holed in the Circumlocution Office!
1928 B. B. Bogoslovsky Technique of Controv. 51 The pigeon-holed entities have lost their separation and become one group, one concept.
1991 N.Y. Times (Nexis) 2 June xiii. 12/1 The scribbled-on, pigeonholed papers in the roll-top desk are right where the ‘old man’ left them.
b. figurative. That has been put aside for, or on the pretext of, future consideration; that has been shelved.
ΘΚΠ
the world > action or operation > manner of action > carelessness > [adjective] > neglectful > neglected > by being put aside
pigeonholed1878
shunted1896
1878 N. Amer. Rev. July 63 He obtained a formal list of the ‘pigeon-holed’ treaties.
1938 Times 17 May 26/1 Talk..of reviving the Reorganization Bill, the pigeon-holed measure which seeks to give Mr. Roosevelt sweeping powers to alter the Civil Service structure.
1954 Post-Standard (Syracuse, N.Y.) 9 July 5/6 Under the pigeon-holed bill the cost of the government..has been estimated at about $200 million.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2006; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1848