dove

¹

[ duhv ]

noun

1. any bird of the family Columbidae, especially the smaller species with pointed tails. Compare pigeon ¹( def 1 ).
2. a pure white member of this species, used as a symbol of innocence, gentleness, tenderness, and peace.
3. Dove, a symbol for the Holy Ghost.
4. an innocent, gentle, or tender person.
5. Also called peace dove [pees, duhv]. a person, especially one in public office, who advocates peace, compromise, or a conciliatory national attitude. Compare hawk ¹( def 4 ).
6. dove color.
7. Economics. an official or advisor who advocates low interest rates or other monetary policies aimed at reducing unemployment and promoting economic growth.
8. Dove, Astronomy. the constellation Columba.

dove

²

[ dohv ]

verb

1. a simple past tense of dive.

Dove

³

[ duhv ]

noun

1. Arthur, 1880–1946, U.S. painter.
2. Rita, born 1952, U.S. poet and educator: U.S. poet laureate 1993.

dove

¹

/ dəʊv /

verb

1. a past tense of dive

Dove

²

/ dʌv /

noun

1. the Dove
   Christianity a manifestation of the Holy Spirit (John 1:32)

dove

³

/ dʌv /

noun

1. any of various birds of the family Columbidae, having a heavy body, small head, short legs, and long pointed wings: order Columbiformes. They are typically smaller than pigeons columbine
2. politics a person opposed to war Compare hawk 1
3. a gentle or innocent person: used as a term of endearment
4. 1. a greyish-brown colour
   2. ( as adjective )

      dove walls

Derived Forms

• ˈdovish, adjective
• ˈdoveˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• dove·like dov·ish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dove¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English; Old English dūfe- (in dūfedoppa “dip-diver”); cognate with Dutch duif, German Taube, Old Norse dūfa, Gothic dūbo, originally, “a diver”

Word History and Origins

Origin of dove¹

Old English dūfe (unattested except as a feminine proper name); related to Old Saxon dūbva, Old High German tūba

Example Sentences

Whether that be Dove and Real Beauty and challenging the beauty industry or Ben and Jerry’s and the work done around social justice and climate justice.

From Freakonomics

As we, you know, circled these issues, we left some voters behind — and Republicans dove in with a vengeance and grabbed those voters.

From Washington Post

Dove has had to own those mistakes, accept responsibility, and commit to do better.

From Fortune

During the summer days, the whales dove to great depths in search of krill.

From Popular-Science

Arenberg and Dove reject Harkin’s idea because, in the end, debate isn’t the issue they care about.

From Vox

A Fish and Wildlife special agent collected the bodies of two birds at the site, a redhead duck and a mourning dove.

From The Daily Beast

Beginning in 1988, he also dove into making art using a fax machine.

From The Daily Beast

De Merode slipped from his seat and dove toward the roadside and into the forest.

From The Daily Beast

He caught both the ball and a bleacher to the face as he dove into the stands.

From The Daily Beast

You'd been drunk for hours, but you dove off a double-decker lake boat and came up gracefully for air.

From The Daily Beast

And really, the little dove-cote, as Mrs. Prentice had called their new home, was a veritable love of a place!

From Project Gutenberg

See her companion in shot silk and a dove-colored parasol; in what a graceful Watteau-like attitude she reclines.

From Project Gutenberg

And Ephraim is become as a dove that is decoyed, not having a heart: they called upon Egypt, they went to the Assyrians.

From Project Gutenberg

A voice from heaven hails the invincible conqueror, and his soul in the form of a dove ascends to the skies.

From Project Gutenberg

One of the most beautiful symbols of the Catacombs is the dove, the perpetual synonym of peace.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• drab
• dusty
• grey
• silvery