PIGEONHOLE

cubbyhole, pigeonhole

(noun) a small compartment

pigeonhole

(noun) a specific (often simplistic) category

pigeonhole, stereotype, stamp

(verb) treat or classify according to a mental stereotype; “I was stereotyped as a lazy Southern European”

pigeonhole

(verb) place into a small compartment

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

pigeonhole (plural pigeonholes)

One of an array of compartments for housing pigeons.

One of an array of compartments for receiving mail and other messages at a college, office, etc.

One of an array of compartments for storing scrolls at a library.

A similar compartment in a desk, used for sorting and storing papers.

Verb

pigeonhole (third-person singular simple present pigeonholes, present participle pigeonholing, simple past and past participle pigeonholed)

To categorize; especially to limit or be limited to a particular category, role, etc.

To put aside, to not act on (proposals, suggestions, advice).

Synonyms

• (not act on): mothball, shelve, table, glovebox

Source: Wiktionary

Pi"geon*hole`, n.

Definition: A small compartment in a desk or case for the keeping of letters, documents, etc.; -- so called from the resemblance of a row of them to the compartments in a dovecote. Burke.

Pi"geon*hole`, v. t.

Definition: To place in the pigeonhole of a case or cabinet; hence, to put away; to lay aside indefinitely; as, to pigeonhole a letter or a report.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition