Dive v. i. [imp. & p. p. Dived colloq. Dove a relic of the AS. strong forms deáf, dofen; p. pr. & vb. n. Diving.]
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.