rive

[ rahyv ]

verb (used with object)

, rived, rived or riv·en, riv·ing.

1. to tear or rend apart:

   to rive meat from a bone.

2. to separate by striking; split; cleave.
3. to rend, harrow, or distress (the feelings, heart, etc.).
4. to split (wood) radially from a log.

verb (used without object)

, rived, rived or riv·en, riv·ing.

1. to become rent or split apart:

   stones that rive easily.

rive

/ raɪv /

verb

1. to split asunder

   a tree riven by lightning

2. to tear apart

   riven to shreds

3. archaic.
   to break (the heart) or (of the heart) to be broken

Other Words From

• un·rived adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rive¹

1225–75; Middle English riven < Old Norse rīfa to tear, split. See rift

Word History and Origins

Origin of rive¹

C13: from Old Norse rīfa ; related to Old Frisian rīva

Example Sentences

I was wearing a lacy black nightgown and Rive Gauche by St. Laurent when I let him in.

From The Daily Beast

The quaint methods of previous witnesses are amplified by M. de la Rive.

From Project Gutenberg

M. de la Rive must therefore on all counts of his evidence be ruled out of court as a witness.

From Project Gutenberg

I do not know of a more insidious temptation to buy what you do not need than loitering along the quais of the Rive Gauche.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Ionides says that once, on the rive gauche, they met Murger, and Whistler introduced him.

From Project Gutenberg

George de Rive, in alarm, convoked the magistrates of all the districts in the earldom.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• disintegrate
• divide
• fracture
• rend
• shatter
• splinter