Dove
/dʌv/
Definitions
2 meaningsA bird of the pigeon family, typically greyish-white.
/dʌv/
A type of bird
The dove cooed softly from its perch.
💡 Simply: A dove is like a pigeon, but usually more gentle-looking. People often think of them as a symbol of peace, like when you see them in pictures or movies.
👶 For kids: A dove is a bird that is white or gray and coos. Sometimes people think of it as a symbol of peace!
More Examples
A white dove was released at the wedding ceremony.
How It's Used
"The dove is often associated with peace and gentleness."
"The dove is a symbol of the Holy Spirit in Christianity."
Past tense of dive.
/dəʊv/
To plunge or dive
He dove headfirst into the water.
💡 Simply: If you 'dove' into something, it's like jumping or going headfirst. For example, if you dove into the pool, you jumped in quickly to swim.
👶 For kids: The word dove is what you do if you jump head first into water!
More Examples
The accountant dove into the complex financial records.
How It's Used
"The child dove into the pool."
"The company dove into the new market."
Idioms & expressions
dove of peace
A symbol of peace, often used in art, literature, and politics.
"The image of a dove of peace was displayed at the peace rally."
From Old English *dūfe*, related to Old Norse *dúfa* and German *Taube*, all ultimately derived from a Proto-Germanic root meaning 'to dive, plunge'.
The word 'dove' as a noun, referring to a bird, dates back to Old English. The verb usage as the past tense of 'dive' is a later development, evolving through common usage and linguistic changes.
Memory tip
Think of the peace symbol: a dove carrying an olive branch.