dive
dive definition
dive (dīv)
intransitive verb dived or dove, dived, diving div′·ing
- to plunge headfirst into water
- to go underwater; submerge, as a submarine or skin diver
- to plunge the hand or body suddenly into something to dive into a foxhole
- to bring oneself zestfully or with abandon into something to dive into one's work
- to make a steep, sudden descent or take a sudden drop, as an airplane
Etymology: ME diven < OE dyfan, to immerse, caus. of dufan, to dive, akin to ON dȳfa, to plunge, dūfa, a wave < IE base *dheup-, deep
transitive verb
- to cause to dive; specif., to send (one's airplane) into a dive
- Archaic to explore or penetrate by or as by diving
noun
- a plunge into water headfirst; esp., any of various formalized plunges performed as in a competition
- any sudden plunge or submersion
- a sharp descent or sudden drop, as of an airplane
- Informal a cheap, disreputable saloon, gambling place, etc.
- Football a play in which a running back carries the ball while plunging directly into the line a short distance away
dive Idioms
take a dive
☆Slang to lose a prizefight purposely by pretending to get knocked out
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