GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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Found 2 definitions 

  1.       

    Dive , v. i. [imp. & p. p. Dived , colloq. Dove , a relic of the AS. strong forms deáf, dofen; p. pr. & vb. n. Diving.] [OE. diven, duven, AS. dfan to sink, v. t., fr. dfan, v. i.; akin to Icel. dfa, G. taufen, E. dip, deep, and perh. to dove, n. Cf. Dip.]
    1.  To plunge into water head foremost; to thrust the body under, or deeply into, water or other fluid.
      1913 Webster
      It is not that pearls fetch a high price because men have dived for them.
      Whately.

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      ☞ The colloquial form dove is common in the United States as an imperfect tense form.
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      All [the walruses] dove down with a tremendous splash.
      Dr. Hayes.

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      When closely pressed it [the loon] dove . . . and left the young bird sitting in the water.
      J. Burroughs.

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    2. Fig.: To plunge or to go deeply into any subject, question, business, etc.; to penetrate; to explore.
      South.

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  2.       

    Dove , n. [OE. dove, duve, douve, AS. dūfe; akin to OS. dūba, D. duif, OHG. tūba, G. taube, Icel. dūfa, Sw. dufva, Dan. due, Goth. dūbō; perh. from the root of E. dive.]
    1. (Zool.) A pigeon of the genus Columba and various related genera. The species are numerous.
      1913 Webster
      ☞ The domestic dove, including the varieties called fantails, tumblers, carrier pigeons, etc., was derived from the rock pigeon (Columba livia) of Europe and Asia; the turtledove of Europe, celebrated for its sweet, plaintive note, is Columba turtur or Turtur vulgaris; the ringdove, the largest of European species, is Columba palumbus; the Carolina dove, or Mourning dove, is Zenaidura macroura; the sea dove is the little auk (Mergulus alle or Alle alle). See Turtledove, Ground dove, and Rock pigeon. The dove is a symbol of peace, innocence, gentleness, and affection; also, in art and in the Scriptures, the typical symbol of the Holy Ghost.
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    2. A word of endearment for one regarded as pure and gentle.
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      O my dove, . . . let me hear thy voice.
      Cant. ii. 14.

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    3. a person advocating peace, compromise or conciliation rather than war or conflict. Opposite of hawk.
      PJC
      Dove tick (Zool.), a mite (Argas reflexus) which infests doves and other birds. -- Soiled dove, a prostitute. [Slang]

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