Definition: dove

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Source: WordNet (r) 1.7 

dove
     n 1: any of numerous small pigeons
     2: someone who prefers negotiations to armed conflict in the
        conduct of foreign relations [syn: peacenik] [ant: hawk]
     3: a constellation in the southern hemisphere near Puppis and
        Caelum [syn: Columba, Dove]
     4: flesh of a pigeon suitable for roasting or braising; flesh
        of a dove (young squab) may be broiled [syn: squab]
     5: an emblem of peace

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 

Dive \Dive\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Dived, colloq. Dove, a
   relic of the AS. strong forms de['a]f, dofen; p. pr. & vb. n.
   Diving.] [OE. diven, duven, AS. d?fan to sink, v. t., fr.
   d?fan, v. i.; akin to Icel. d?fa, 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.

   Note: The colloquial form dove is common in the United States
         as an imperfect tense form.

               All [the walruses] dove down with a tremendous
               splash.                            --Dr. Hayes.

               When closely pressed it [the loon] 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.
Dove \Dove\, n. [OE. dove, duve, douve, AS. d?fe; akin to OS.
   d?ba, D. duif, OHG. t?ba, G. taube, Icel. d?fa, Sw. dufva,
   Dan. due, Goth. d?b?; perh. from the root of E. dive.]
   1. (Zo["o]l.) A pigeon of the genus Columba and various
      related genera. The species are numerous.

   Note: The domestic dove, including the varieties called
         fantails, tumblers, carrier pigeons, etc., was
         derived from the rock pigeon (Columba livia) of
         Europe and Asia; the turtledove of Europe, celebrated
         for its sweet, plaintive note, is C. turtur or
         Turtur vulgaris; the ringdove, the largest of
         European species, is C. palumbus; the Carolina
         dove, or Mourning dove, is Zenaidura macroura; the
         sea dove is the little auk (Mergulus alle or Alle
         alle). See Turtledove, Ground dove, and Rock
         pigeon. The dove is a symbol of innocence, gentleness,
         and affection; also, in art and in the Scriptures, the
         typical symbol of the Holy Ghost.

Source: Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary 

Dove
   In their wild state doves generally build their nests in the
   clefts of rocks, but when domesticated "dove-cots" are prepared
   for them (Cant. 2:14; Jer. 48:28; Isa. 60:8). The dove was
   placed on the standards of the Assyrians and Babylonians in
   honour, it is supposed, of Semiramis (Jer. 25:38; Vulg.,
   "fierceness of the dove;" comp. Jer. 46:16; 50:16). Doves and
   turtle-doves were the only birds that could be offered in
   sacrifice, as they were clean according to the Mosaic law (Ge.
   15:9; Lev. 5:7; 12:6; Luke 2:24). The dove was the harbinger of
   peace to Noah (Gen. 8:8, 10). It is often mentioned as the
   emblem of purity (Ps. 68:13). It is a symbol of the Holy Spirit
   (Gen. 1:2; Matt. 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; John 1:32); also of
   tender and devoted affection (Cant. 1:15; 2:14). David in his
   distress wished that he had the wings of a dove, that he might
   fly away and be at rest (Ps. 55:6-8). There is a species of dove
   found at Damascus "whose feathers, all except the wings, are
   literally as yellow as gold" (68:13).