DOVE


Meaning of DOVE in English

I. ˈdəv noun

( -s )

Etymology: Middle English douve, dove, doufe, from (assumed) Old English dūfe (in Dūfe, feminine prop. name); akin to Old High German tūba dove, Old Norse dūfa, Gothic hraiwa dūbo turtledove, and probably to Old English dēaf deaf — more at deaf

1. : any of numerous birds of the family Columbidae:

a. : any of various smaller wild pigeons (as the turtledove or mourning dove)

b. : pigeon

2. : a pure and gentle woman or child — used especially as a term of endearment

come little dove , don't be afraid

3.

a. : pelican 4

b. : dove gray

II.

past of dive

III. noun

( -es )

: one who takes a conciliatory attitude (as in a dispute) and advocates negotiations and compromise ; especially : an opponent of war — compare hawk herein

• dov·ish ˈdəvish adjective

• dov·ish·ness noun

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.