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cleave
1[ kleev ]
verb (used without object)
- to adhere closely; stick; cling (usually followed by to ).
- to remain faithful (usually followed by to ):
to cleave to one's principles in spite of persecution.
cleave
2[ kleev ]
verb (used with object)
- to split or divide by or as if by a cutting blow, especially along a natural line of division, as the grain of wood.
- to make by or as if by cutting:
to cleave a path through the wilderness.
- to penetrate or pass through (air, water, etc.):
The bow of the boat cleaved the water cleanly.
- to cut off; sever:
to cleave a branch from a tree.
verb (used without object)
- to part or split, especially along a natural line of division.
- to penetrate or advance by or as if by cutting (usually followed by through ).
cleave
1/ kliːv /
verb
- to split or cause to split, esp along a natural weakness
- tr to make by or as if by cutting
to cleave a path
- whenintr, foll by through to penetrate or traverse
cleave
2/ kliːv /
verb
- intrfoll byto to cling or adhere
Derived Forms
- ˈcleavable, adjective
- ˌcleavaˈbility, noun
Other Words From
- cleav·ing·ly adverb
Word History and Origins
Origin of cleave1
Origin of cleave2
Word History and Origins
Origin of cleave1
Origin of cleave2
Example Sentences
The waterway was cleaved across the most narrow section of the Panamanian isthmus in the late 1800s and early 1900s, by French and then U.S. engineers.
If not for Demi Moore literally and figuratively carrying “The Substance” on her cleaved back, it wouldn’t be on this list at all.
The Scottish Premiership leaders enjoyed almost 70% possession but struggled to cleave out clear chances against a Croatian side hampered by injuries.
It is a journey beset by perils: Though the road Sam travels cleaves mostly through fields of corn and the weary charm of a small-town Main Street, here, as everywhere, there be dragons.
Viral genome sequences indicate the teen was infected with the type of H5N1 typically found in wild birds and that it had mutated to better cleave to the respiratory tract.
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