dove

1
[ duhv ]

noun
  1. any bird of the family Columbidae, especially the smaller species with pointed tails.: Compare pigeon1 (def. 1).

  2. a pure white member of this species, used as a symbol of innocence, gentleness, tenderness, and peace.

  1. Dove, a symbol for the Holy Ghost.

  2. an innocent, gentle, or tender person.

  3. Also called peace dove [pees-duhv] /ˈpis ˌdʌv/ . a person, especially one in public office, who advocates peace, compromise, or a conciliatory national attitude.: Compare hawk1 (def. 4).

  4. Economics. an official or advisor who advocates low interest rates or other monetary policies aimed at reducing unemployment and promoting economic growth.

  5. Dove, Astronomy. the constellation Columba.

Origin of dove

1
First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English; Old English dūfe- (in dūfedoppa “dip-diver”); cognate with Dutch duif, German Taube, Old Norse dūfa, Gothic dūbo, originally, “a diver”

Other words from dove

  • dove·like, dov·ish, adjective

Words Nearby dove

Other definitions for dove (2 of 3)

dove2
[ dohv ]

verb
  1. a simple past tense of dive.

Other definitions for Dove (3 of 3)

Dove
[ duhv ]

noun
  1. Arthur, 1880–1946, U.S. painter.

  2. Rita, born 1952, U.S. poet and educator: U.S. poet laureate 1993.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use dove in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for dove (1 of 3)

dove1

/ (dʌv) /


noun
  1. any of various birds of the family Columbidae, having a heavy body, small head, short legs, and long pointed wings: order Columbiformes. They are typically smaller than pigeons: Related adjective: columbine

  2. politics a person opposed to war: Compare hawk 1 (def. 3)

  1. a gentle or innocent person: used as a term of endearment

    • a greyish-brown colour

    • (as adjective): dove walls

Origin of dove

1
Old English dūfe (unattested except as a feminine proper name); related to Old Saxon dūbva, Old High German tūba

Derived forms of dove

  • dovelike, adjective
  • dovish, adjective

British Dictionary definitions for dove (2 of 3)

dove2

/ (dəʊv) /


verb
  1. mainly US a past tense of dive

British Dictionary definitions for Dove (3 of 3)

Dove

/ (dʌv) /


noun
  1. the Dove Christianity a manifestation of the Holy Spirit (John 1:32)

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012