Dive (dīv), v. i. [imp. & p. p.Dived (dīvd), colloq. Dove (dōv), a relic of the AS. strong forms deáf, dofen; p. pr. & vb. n.Diving.] [OE. diven, duven, AS. dȳfan to sink, v. t., fr. dūfan, v. i.; akin to Icel. dȳfa, 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.
It is not that pearls fetch a high price because men have dived for them. Whately.
☞ The colloquial form dove is common in the United States as an imperfect tense form.
All dove down with a tremendous splash. Dr. Hayes.
When closely pressed it dove... and left the young bird sitting in the water. J. Burroughs.
2. Fig.: To plunge or to go deeply into any subject, question, business, etc.; to penetrate; to explore. South.