dove
Pluraldoves
Pluraldoves
- 1A bird of the family Columbidae, especially one of the smaller, often white-colored kinds; the names dove and pigeon are applied to the family's more than 300 species largely interchangeably.
A dove perched on the fence, preening its gray feathers.
Mourning doves gather under the feeder at dusk every evening.
UsageUsed for symbols of peace (the dove of peace); city birds are mostly called pigeons.
Note
Middle English douve, from a reconstructed Old English *dūfe already meaning both "dove" and "pigeon", so the two names have long overlapped and still have no clear dividing line. Early Christian art made the dove with an olive branch a sign of peace, recalling Noah's dove and its olive leaf, and shows the Holy Spirit as a dove, after the Gospel accounts of Jesus's baptism.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 6 facts
- The bird name descends through Middle English douve from reconstructed Old English *dūfe, glossed as both dove and pigeon. en.wiktionary.org
- Dove and pigeon have historically overlapped in reference. en.wiktionary.org
- Early Christian art used the dove carrying an olive branch as a peace symbol. en.wikipedia.org
- The Christian dove-and-olive-branch symbol recalls the story of Noah. en.wikipedia.org
- Noah's dove returned carrying an olive leaf in the biblical account. en.wikisource.org
- Christian art depicts the Holy Spirit as a dove based on the Gospel accounts of Jesus's baptism. en.wikipedia.org
- 2Past tense of dive. Used chiefly in the US and Canada, and in nonstandard use also as its past participle.
She dove off the dock into the cold lake.
The quarterback dove for the end zone as time expired.
UsageElsewhere, dived is the usual form: she dived off the dock.
Note
A strong past tense coined in modern times, modeled on drive → drove and weave → wove rather than inherited from older English. It covers every use of dive, from a plunge off a dock to diving into a new project.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
- Dove is a modern analogical strong past tense modeled on drive–drove and weave–wove, rather than an inherited older past-tense form. en.wiktionary.org
- 3A person who favors conciliation and negotiation rather than conflict, especially in debates over war and foreign policy.
Doves in the cabinet urged the president to pursue a cease-fire.
A lifelong dove, she opposed every military intervention of her career.
UsageOften contrasted with hawk in the phrase hawks and doves.
Similarpacifist, peacemaker, conciliator
Oppositehawk
Note
The fuller phrase peace dove makes the image explicit, with the bird standing for peace. Applied to a person, it names a stance, not a temperament, and a dove can argue fiercely for restraint.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
- The dove symbolizes peace. en.wikipedia.org
- 4A grayish color tinged with blue and pink, resembling the plumage of the dove.
The designer chose dove for the sofa, with cream accents throughout the room.
She chose dove for the bedroom walls because it felt softer and warmer than plain gray.
- 5An affectionate term of address for someone regarded as pure and gentle.
"Come along, my dove, the carriage is waiting," she said.
"You've done so well, my dove," the old nurse murmured to her patient.
Similardarling, dear, love, sweetheart, pet
Note
Its classic setting is the King James Bible of 1611: "O my dove, … let me hear thy voice." That biblical echo gives the endearment a tender, lyrical ring. It praises gentleness and innocence, so it suits a beloved or someone being comforted better than a teasing or playful remark.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- The King James Bible was first published in 1611. wwwe.lib.cam.ac.uk
- The quotation appears in the King James Bible, Song of Solomon 2:14; the ellipsis accurately omits intervening words. en.wikisource.org
Less common meanings
- 6Someone, especially a central banker, who prefers low interest rates and easier monetary policy as a way to boost growth and employment.
Markets rallied after the Fed chair, long seen as a dove, signaled more rate cuts.
The committee's doves argued that raising rates now would choke off the recovery.
UsageThe related adjective is dovish: a dovish speech or policy. A dove contrasts with a hawk.
Oppositehawk
Note
Monetary policy borrowed its pair of birds from the peacemaker sense of foreign-policy debate: doves lean toward cheap money and jobs, hawks toward higher rates and fighting inflation.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 2 facts
- The monetary-policy terms hawk and dove were borrowed from foreign-policy debate. simonandschuster.net
- Monetary doves favor easier policy and employment, while hawks favor tighter policy to control inflation. richmondfed.org
- 7Short for love dove: a tablet of the drug ecstasy.
Someone pressed a dove into his hand as the music peaked.
Officers found a dove wrapped in foil in the glove box.
Note
Drug slang shortened from love dove, with the first word dropped. Because dove is otherwise so innocent a word, the slang meaning depends entirely on context.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact
- The drug slang dove is shortened from love dove by dropping love. en.wiktionary.org
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origins
Proto-Germanic *dūbǭ became Proto-West Germanic *dūbā and then Old English *dūfe ("dove, pigeon"), which came down into Middle English as douve. Related words include Dutch duif, German Taube, Danish due, and Swedish duva.
Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 4 facts
- Proto-Germanic *dūbǭ developed into Proto-West Germanic *dūbā. en.wiktionary.org
- Proto-West Germanic *dūbā developed into Old English *dūfe, meaning ‘dove, pigeon’. en.wiktionary.org
- Middle English douve was inherited from Old English *dūfe. en.wiktionary.org
- Dutch duif, German Taube, Danish due, and Swedish duva are cognates of English dove. en.wiktionary.org
A modern strong past-tense form, created by analogy with pairs such as drive → drove and weave → wove.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 1 fact
- The past-tense form dove is a modern strong formation created by analogy with drive/drove and weave/wove. en.wiktionary.org