I. ˈdīv verb
( dived ˈdīvd ; or dove ˈdōv ; dived also dove ; div·ing )
Etymology: Middle English diven, duven, from Old English dȳfan to dip & dūfan to dive; akin to Old English dyppan to dip — more at dip
Date: before 12th century
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to plunge into water intentionally and especially headfirst ; also : to execute a dive
b. : submerge
the submarine dived
2.
a. : to come or drop down precipitously : plunge
the temperature is diving
b. : to plunge one's hand into something
c. of an airplane : to descend in a dive
3.
a. : to plunge into some matter or activity
she dove into her studies
b. : to plunge or dash for some place
diving for cover
also : to lunge especially in order to seize something
dove for the ball
transitive verb
1. : to thrust into something
2. : to cause to dive
dive a submarine
Usage:
Dive, which was originally a weak verb, developed a past tense dove, probably by analogy with verbs like drive, drove. Dove exists in some British dialects and has become the standard past tense especially in speech in some parts of Canada. In the United States dived and dove are both widespread in speech as past tense and past participle, with dove less common than dived in the south Midland area, and dived less common than dove in the Northern and north Midland areas. In writing, the past tense dived is usual in British English and somewhat more common in American English. Dove seems relatively rare as a past participle in writing.
II. noun
Date: 1700
1. : the act or an instance of diving: as
a.
(1) : a plunge into water executed in a prescribed manner
(2) : a submerging of a submarine
(3) : a steep descent of an airplane at greater than the maximum horizontal speed
b. : a sharp decline
2. : a shabby and disreputable establishment (as a bar or nightclub)
3. : a faked knockout — usually used in the phrase take a dive
4. : an offensive play in football in which the ballcarrier plunges into the line for short yardage