cleavage

cleav·age

noun \ˈklē-vij\

Definition of CLEAVAGE

1

a : the quality of a crystallized substance or rock of splitting along definite planes; also : the occurrence of such splitting b : a fragment (as of a diamond) obtained by splitting

2

: the action of cleaving : the state of being cleft

3

: the series of synchronized mitotic cell divisions of a fertilized egg that results in the formation of the blastomeres and changes the single-celled zygote into a multicellular embryo; also : one of these cell divisions

4

: the splitting of a molecule into simpler molecules

5

: the depression between a woman's breasts especially when made visible by a low-cut neckline

Examples of CLEAVAGE

1. The dress is cut low enough to reveal a lot of cleavage.
2. the cleavage between the rich and poor
3. the cleavages of an egg as an embryo develops

First Known Use of CLEAVAGE

1816

Related to CLEAVAGE

Synonyms: bifurcation, breakup, separation, dissolution, disunion, division, fractionalization, fractionation, partition, schism, scission, split, sundering

Antonyms: unification, union

Related Words: breach, rupture; divorce, severance; decomposition, disassembly, dismemberment, segmentation, subdivision; atomization, dichotomization, polarization; diffusion, dispersal, dispersion, scattering; administration, apportionment, distribution; isolation, seclusion, segregation, sequestration

Near Antonyms: assemblage, association; attachment, conjunction, connection, link, linkage, linkup; aggregation, combination, consolidation, fusion

[+]more[-]hide

Other Geology Terms

anthracite, boulder, cwm, erratic, igneous, intrusive, mesa, sedimentary, silt, swale