Cleave

Quick meaning: Cleave is a verb meaning (transitive) To split or sever something with, or as if with, a sharp instrument.

Meaning

(transitive) To split or sever something with, or as if with, a sharp instrument.

More Meanings

1. (transitive) To make or accomplish by or as if by cutting.
2. (transitive) (chemistry) To split (a complex molecule) into simpler molecules.
3. (intransitive) To split.
4. (intransitive, mineralogy) Of a crystal, to split along a natural plane of division.
5. (technology) Flat, smooth surface produced by cleavage, or any similar surface produced by similar techniques, as in glass.
6. A cut (slash) or a cut location, either naturally or artificially.
7. (transitive, mineralogy) To break a single crystal (such as a gemstone or semiconductor wafer) along one of its more symmetrical crystallographic planes (often by impact), forming facets on the resulting pieces.

Example Sentences

The wings clove the foggy air.

The truck clove a path through the ice.

O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain.

Hee claue the rockes in the wildernes: and gaue them drinke as out of the great depthes.

Word Forms

• cleaves
• cleaving
• cleft
• cleaved

Synonyms for cleave

Depending on context, synonyms include rive, split.

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include rive, split, rend, hew, sever, adhere.

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