Pronunciations (2)
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/ˈkliːv/
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[ˈkʰl̥ɪi̯v]
Verb
To split or sever something with, or as if with, a sharp instrument.
Usage- Transitive
- Synonyms
- Examples
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The wings clove the foggy air.
More examples (1)
Some clock clove with silver the stillness of the morning. Ere came the second stroke, another and nearer clock was striking. And now there were others chiming in. The air was confused with the sweet babel of its many spires, some of them booming deep, measured sequences, some tinkling impatiently and outwitting others which had begun before them. And when this anthem of jealous antiphonies and uneven rhythms had dwindled quite away and fainted in one last solitary note of silver, there started somewhere another sequence; and this, almost at its last stroke, was interrupted by yet another, which went on to tell the hour of noon in its own way, quite slowly and significantly, as though none knew it.
O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain.
More examples (1)
Hee claue the rockes in the wildernes: and gaue them drinke as out of the great depthes.
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.
Usage- Transitive
To make or accomplish by or as if by cutting.
Usage- Transitive
- Examples
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The truck clove a path through the ice.
(chemistry) To split (a complex molecule) into simpler molecules.
Usage- Transitive
To split.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
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And it came to passe as he had made an ende of speaking all these words, that the ground claue asunder that was vnder them:
Of a crystal, to split along a natural plane of division.
Usage- Intransitive
Noun
Flat, smooth surface produced by cleavage, or any similar surface produced by similar techniques, as in glass.
A cut (slash) or a cut location, either naturally or artificially.
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More examples (3)
There are very striking scenes on some of the lesser streams at this portion of their course. The deep gorge of the Lyd is famous. In the "cleaves," or cleft rocky valleys of Lustleigh and of the Tavy, many a long summer day may be spent with delight; and the Erme, which descends by Ivy Bridge, is not less worthy of a pilgrimage. As the rivers leave the moorland they are crossed by venerable and picturesque bridges which, like that of Harford in our illustration, sometimes afford an admirable framework for the distant landscape.
The valley by which the Taw leaves the Moor forms one of the cleaves that add so greatly to the attractions of the place, and this bears the same name as the parish.
Early the next morning, when there was a tender pink light upon all the moor, and the gentle wind was filled with the purest odours found upon earth, the smell of firs and peat and dewy heather, and the first sunbeams seemed to be creeping down the side of the cleave to drink of the river, poor ill-used John Petherick was evicted at last from Wheal Dream and went into the immortality which he could not think about.
Verb
Followed by to or unto: to adhere, cling, or stick fast to something.
Usage- Intransitive
- Rare
- Examples
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And they lift vp their voyce, and wept againe: and Orpah kissed her mother in law, but Ruth claue vnto her.
Neuerthelesse, hee cleaued vnto the sinnes of Ieroboam the sonne of Nebat, which made Israel to sinne; he departed not therefrom.
More examples (5)
Yet not as therefore cruell things ſhould cleave / To gentle; not that vve ſhould Serpents ſee / VVith Doves; or Lambs vvith Tigres coupled be.
To the body and to the raiment, burning them; As after death I know that such-like flame Shall cleave to me for ever; yea, what care, Albeit I burn then, having felt the same?
He was in such a rage that his tongue clave to the roof of his mouth. He could not even swear. He could only splutter.
"I only know that I love thee as I never loved before, and that I will cleave to thee to the end."
In fact everyone is obligated, to this loving cleaving to God as necessary for salvation, in the form of observing the commandments and conforming to the divine will,[…]
Verb
separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument
- Broader terms
- Examples
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cleave the bone
make by cutting into
- Examples
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The water is going to cleave a channel into the rock
come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
- Examples
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The dress clings to her body
The label stuck to the box
More examples (1)
The sushi rice grains cohere