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- Dictionarycleave/kliːv/
verb
- 1. split or sever (something), especially along a natural line or grain: "the large axe his father used to cleave wood for the fire" Similar
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The meaning of CLEAVE is to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly. How to use cleave in a sentence. Did you know? Synonym Discussion of Cleave.
CLEAVE definition: 1. to separate or divide, or cause something to separate or divide, often violently: 2. to…. Learn more.
Cleave, a verb, has two very different meanings. It can describe cutting or splitting something apart with a sharp instrument, or — oddly enough — it can describe sticking to something like glue. To cleave or not to cleave, that is the question.
CLEAVE meaning: 1. to separate or divide, or cause something to separate or divide, often violently: 2. to…. Learn more.
To cleave something means to split or divide it into two separate parts, often violently. They just cleave the stone along the cracks. [VERB noun] If someone cleaves to something or to someone else, they begin or continue to have strong feelings of loyalty towards them. She has cleaved to these principles all her life. [VERB + to]
To split or be capable or splitting, especially along a natural line of division: Certain brittle woods cleave easily. 2. To penetrate or pass through something, such as water or air. [Middle English cleven, from Old English clēofan; see gleubh- in Indo-European roots.] 1. To adhere, cling, or stick fast. 2.
A complete guide to the word "CLEAVE": definitions, pronunciations, synonyms, grammar insights, collocations, examples, and translations.
Definition of cleave verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
to (cause to) split or divide by or as if by a cutting blow: [no object] The wood cleaved in two clean pieces. [~ + object] He cleaved the wood in two neat pieces. [~ + object] to make by or as if by cutting: to cleave a path through the wilderness. [~ (+ through) + object] to penetrate or pass through (water, etc.):
What does the verb cleave mean? There are six meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb cleave, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.
