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View synonyms for

cleave

1

[kleev]

verb (used without object)

cleaved , clave, cleaved, cleaving. .
  1. to adhere closely; stick; cling (usually followed byto ).

  2. to remain faithful (usually followed byto ).

    to cleave to one's principles in spite of persecution.



cleave

2

[kleev]

verb (used with object)

cleft, cleaved, clove, cleft, cleaved, cloven, cleaving. 
  1. to split or divide by or as if by a cutting blow, especially along a natural line of division, as the grain of wood.

    Synonyms: , ,
  2. to make by or as if by cutting.

    to cleave a path through the wilderness.

  3. to penetrate or pass through (air, water, etc.).

    The bow of the boat cleaved the water cleanly.

  4. to cut off; sever.

    to cleave a branch from a tree.

verb (used without object)

cleft, cleaved, clove, cleft, cleaved, cloven, cleaving. 
  1. to part or split, especially along a natural line of division.

  2. to penetrate or advance by or as if by cutting (usually followed bythrough ).

cleave

1

/ ː /

verb

  1. to split or cause to split, esp along a natural weakness

  2. (tr) to make by or as if by cutting

    to cleave a path

  3. to penetrate or traverse

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

cleave

2

/ ː /

verb

  1. to cling or adhere

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • cleavingly adverb
  • ˈ𲹱 adjective
  • ˌ𲹱ˈٲ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of cleave1

First recorded before 900; Middle English cleven, Old English cleofian, clifian, cognate with Old High German ŧ, German kleben

Origin of cleave2

First recorded before 950; Middle English cleven, Old English ŧǴڲ, cognate with Old High German klioban, German klieben, Old Norse ūڲ; akin to Greek ý𾱲 “to carve,” Latin ū “to peel”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of cleave1

Old English ŧǴڲ; related to Old Norse ūڲ, Old High German klioban, Latin ū to peel

Origin of cleave2

Old English cleofian; related to Old High German ŧ to stick
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

As I have explained here at Salon and elsewhere, there is an America Before Trump and an America After Trump; Trump has cleaved American history into two parts.

From

The eight “Mission” films can be cleaved into two groups.

From

Democrats did a number on their brand in the state, particularly with the Kamala Harris campaign in regards to her cleaving to the Biden administration's policy in Gaza.

From

Mariam brings all that style, wit and brilliance to “Liquid: A Love Story,” a novel that cleaves itself in two.

From

When it arrives, in simple letters against a black backdrop, it doesn’t so much introduce the film as cleave it in half.

From

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