Emily Dickinson Lexicon

DIVE, v.i. [Sax. dyfan, ge-dufian; Gr. δυπτω; It. tuffare; coinciding with dip, Heb. Ch. טבע. The same word in Syr. and Ar. signifies to stamp, strike, print, impress. Class Db, No. 28. The sense then is, to thrust or drive.]

1. To descend or plunge into water, as an animal head first; to thrust the body into water or other liquor, or if already in water, to plunge deeper. In the pearl fishery, men are employed to dive for shells.
2. To go deep into any subject; as, to dive into the nature of things, into arts or science. – Dryden.
3. To plunge into any business or condition, so as to be thoroughly engaged in it. Shak.
4. To sink; to penetrate. Dive, thoughts, down to my soul. – Shak.