Dive \Dive\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Dived, colloq. Dove, a relic of the AS. strong forms de['a]f, dofen; p. pr. & vb. n. Diving.]

[OE. diven, duven, AS. d?fan to sink, v. t., fr. d?fan, v. i.; akin to Icel. d?fa, 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.

It is not that pearls fetch a high price because men have dived for them. --Whately.

Note: The colloquial form dove is common in the United States as an imperfect tense form.

All [the walruses] dove down with a tremendous splash. --Dr. Hayes.

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

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

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Dove \Dove\, n. [OE. dove, duve, douve, AS. d?fe; akin to OS. d?ba, D. duif, OHG. t?ba, G. taube, Icel. d?fa, Sw. dufva, Dan. due, Goth. d?b?; perh. from the root of E. dive.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) A pigeon of the genus Columba and various related genera. The species are numerous.

Note: 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 C. turtur or Turtur vulgaris; the ringdove, the largest of European species, is C. 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 innocence, gentleness, and affection; also, in art and in the Scriptures, the typical symbol of the Holy Ghost.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)