cleave to
Definition of cleave to
formal + literary
1 : to stay very close to (someone) children cleaving to their families
2 : to stick closely to (something) —usually used figuratively He continued to cleave to the beliefs of his childhood.
From the M-W Editors
Word by Word Definitions
cleaveplay
: to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly
: to divide by or as if by a cutting blow : split
: to separate into distinct parts and especially into groups having divergent views
: to subject to chemical cleavage
See the full definition of cleave
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