Main Entry:

rive

Pronunciation:

\ˈrīv\

Function:

verb

Inflected Form(s):

rived \ˈrīvd\ ; riv·en \ˈri-vən\ also rived; riv·ing \ˈrī-viŋ\

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old Norse rīfa; akin to Greek ereipein to tear down

Date:

14th century

transitive verb1 a: to wrench open or tear apart or to pieces : rend b: to split with force or violence2 a: to divide into pieces <nations riven by civil war> b: fractureintransitive verb: to become split : crack

synonyms see tear