cleave

²cleave

verb

cleaved \ˈklēvd\ also cleft\ˈkleft\ or clove\ˈklōv\cleaved also cleft or clo·ven\ˈklō-vən\cleav·ing

Definition of CLEAVE

transitive verb

1

: to divide by or as if by a cutting blow : split

2

: to separate into distinct parts and especially into groups having divergent views

3

: to subject to chemical cleavage <a protein cleaved by an enzyme>

intransitive verb

1

: to split especially along the grain

2

: to penetrate or pass through something by or as if by cutting

Origin of CLEAVE

Middle English cleven, from Old English clēofan; akin to Old Norse kljūfa to split, Latin glubere to peel, Greek glyphein to carve

First Known Use: before 12th century