intransitive verb dived or dove, dived, diving div′·ing

1. to plunge headfirst into water
2. to go underwater; submerge, as a submarine or skin diver
3. to plunge the hand or body suddenly into something to dive into a foxhole
4. to bring oneself zestfully or with abandon into something to dive into one's work
5. 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

1. to cause to dive; specif., to send (one's airplane) into a dive
2. Archaic to explore or penetrate by or as by diving

noun

1. a plunge into water headfirst; esp., any of various formalized plunges performed as in a competition
2. any sudden plunge or submersion
3. a sharp descent or sudden drop, as of an airplane
4. Informal a cheap, disreputable saloon, gambling place, etc.
5. Football a play in which a running back carries the ball while plunging directly into the line a short distance away