dive

dive [dīv]

vi.

dived or dove, dived, diving [ME diven < OE dyfan, to immerse, caus. of dufan, to dive, akin to ON dȳfa, to plunge, dūfa, a wave < IE base * dheup-, DEEP]

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

vt.

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

n.

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

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☆ take a dive

Slang to lose a prizefight purposely by pretending to get knocked out