Main Entry: ¹dive

Pronunciation: \ˈdīv\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): 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.