clave

¹ American  

[kleyv] / kleɪv /

verb

Archaic.

1. simple past tense of cleave.

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clave ² American  

[klah-vey] / ˈklɑ veɪ /

noun

1. one of a pair of wooden sticks or blocks that are held one in each hand and are struck together to accompany music and dancing.

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clave ¹ British  

/ kleɪv, klɑːv /

noun

1. music one of a pair of hardwood sticks struck together to make a hollow sound, esp to mark the beat of Latin-American dance music

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clave ² British  

/ kleɪv /

verb

1. archaic a past tense of cleave 1

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clave ³ British  

/ kleɪv /

noun

1. zoology a clublike thickening at the upper end of an organ, esp of the antenna of an insect

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Etymology

Origin of clave

First recorded in 1925–30; Latin American Spanish, Spanish: “keystone,” from Latin clāvis “key”

Example Sentences

Mantener este sentido de eficiencia personal puede ser clave a la hora de realizar un trabajo difícil.

From New York Times • Mar. 17, 2023

But Mark Morris, perched on a stool and clacking out the rhythm with a pair of clave sticks, finds plenty to quarrel with as he oversees this rehearsal of his new work.

From Washington Post • Oct. 21, 2022

De acuerdo con directivos de Langebio, pertenece también a varios comités clave de la institución, incluyendo uno que evalúa el desempeño de otros investigadores principales.

From Science Magazine • Oct. 5, 2021

Los organizadores se dieron cuenta de que conecciones directas y basadas en confianza eran la clave para hacer contacto con personas que eran “difíciles de alcanzar”, dijo Pérez.

From Seattle Times • Oct. 4, 2021

His tongue clave to the roof of his mouth.

From A Hero of Romance by Marsh, Richard

Related Words

• hew
• sunder