DOVE

n. 1 any bird of the family Columbidae, with short legs, small head, and large breast. 2 a gentle or innocent person. 3 Polit. an advocate of peace or peaceful policies (cf. HAWK(1)). 4 (Dove) Relig. a representation of the Holy Spirit (John 1:32). 5 a soft grey colour. ødove's-foot a cranesbill, Geranium molle. dove-tree a tree with dovelike flowers, Davidia involucrata, native to China. øødovelike adj. [ME f. ON dÇfa f. Gmc]