swan-dive

¹

[swon-dahyv]

verb (used without object)

swan-dived, swan-diving 

1. to perform a swan dive.

2. to decrease suddenly and decisively; plummet.

   Stock prices swan-dived overnight.

swan dive

²

noun

Diving.

1. a forward dive in which the diver while in the air assumes a position with the arms outstretched at shoulder height and the legs straight and together, and enters the water with the arms stretched above the head.

swan dive

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): swallow dive. a type of dive in which the diver arches back while in the air, keeping his legs straight and together and his arms outstretched, finally entering the water headfirst

Word History and Origins

Origin of swan-dive¹

An Americanism dating back to 1895–1900