cleave

¹cleave

intransitive verb \ˈklēv\

cleaved \ˈklēvd\ or clove \ˈklōv\ also clave \ˈklāv\ cleavedcleav·ing

Definition of CLEAVE

: to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly

Origin of CLEAVE

Middle English clevien, from Old English clifian; akin to Old High German kleben to stick

First Known Use: before 12th century

Rhymes with CLEAVE

breve, eave, eve, Eve, greave, grieve, heave, leave, lief, peeve, reave, reeve, reive, scrieve, sheave, sleeve, steeve, thieve, weave

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

cleave

transitive verb \ˈklēv\   (Medical Dictionary)

cleaved; cleav·ing

Medical Definition of CLEAVE

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