'Dove' definitions:

Definition of 'dove'

noun

Any of numerous small pigeons

noun

Someone who prefers negotiations to armed conflict in the conduct of foreign relations [syn: dove, peacenik] [ant: hawk, war hawk]

noun

A constellation in the southern hemisphere near Puppis and Caelum [syn: Columba, Dove]

noun

Flesh of a pigeon suitable for roasting or braising; flesh of a dove (young squab) may be broiled [syn: squab, dove]

noun

An emblem of peace

From: GCIDE

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. [1913 Webster]
It is not that pearls fetch a high price because men have dived for them. --Whately. [1913 Webster]
Note: The colloquial form dove is common in the United States as an imperfect tense form. [1913 Webster]
All [the walruses] dove down with a tremendous splash. --Dr. Hayes. [1913 Webster]
When closely pressed it [the loon] dove . . . and left the young bird sitting in the water. --J. Burroughs. [1913 Webster]
2. Fig.: To plunge or to go deeply into any subject, question, business, etc.; to penetrate; to explore. --South. [1913 Webster]

From: GCIDE

Dove \Dove\ (d[u^]v), n. [OE. dove, duve, douve, AS. d[=u]fe; akin to OS. d[=u]ba, D. duif, OHG. t[=u]ba, G. taube, Icel. d[=u]fa, Sw. dufva, Dan. due, Goth. d[=u]b[=o]; 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]
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 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. [1913 Webster]
2. A word of endearment for one regarded as pure and gentle. [1913 Webster]
O my dove, . . . let me hear thy voice. --Cant. ii. 14. [1913 Webster]
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] Dovecot

Dove In their wild state doves generally build their nests in the clefts of rocks, but when domesticated "dove-cots" are prepared for them (Cant. 2:14; Jer. 48:28; Isa. 60:8). The dove was placed on the standards of the Assyrians and Babylonians in honour, it is supposed, of Semiramis (Jer. 25:38; Vulg., "fierceness of the dove;" comp. Jer. 46:16; 50:16). Doves and turtle-doves were the only birds that could be offered in sacrifice, as they were clean according to the Mosaic law (Ge. 15:9; Lev. 5:7; 12:6; Luke 2:24). The dove was the harbinger of peace to Noah (Gen. 8:8, 10). It is often mentioned as the emblem of purity (Ps. 68:13). It is a symbol of the Holy Spirit (Gen. 1:2; Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32); also of tender and devoted affection (Cant. 1:15; 2:14). David in his distress wished that he had the wings of a dove, that he might fly away and be at rest (Ps. 55:6-8). There is a species of dove found at Damascus "whose feathers, all except the wings, are literally as yellow as gold" (68:13).