Also 8 -et. [app. f. L. turbo a top, from its figure; cf. TURBOT.] A small fancy variety of the domestic pigeon, distinguished by its stout rounded build, a short beak, the ruffle or frill on its neck and breast, and a small crest. Also attrib.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, II. 244/2. The Turbit Pigeon, or Cortbeck.
1725. Bradley’s Fam. Dict., s.v. Pigeon, Many Sorts of Pigeons, such as Carriers,… Jacobins, Turbits, Helmets, [etc.].
1859. Darwin, Orig. Spec., i. (1878), 16. The turbit has a short and conical beak, with a line of reversed feathers down the breast.
1896. Westm. Gaz., 17 Feb., 2/1. He has a strain of the turbit pigeon in him, while all the rest are just the common wild Blue Rock sort.
Hence Turbiteen, an oriental frilled variety of domestic pigeon resembling the turbit, and said to be derived from it. Also attrib.
1876. H. P. Caridia, in R. Fulton, Bk. Pigeons, 317. The Turbiteens. These are the present Oriental Turbits, which twenty-five years ago were marked as the present British Turbits.
1885. Bazaar, 30 March, 1265/1. Handsome chequered turbiteen cock.
