clave
1[ kleyv ]
/ kleɪv /
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verb Archaic.
simple past tense of cleave1.
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Other definitions for clave (2 of 2)
clave2
[ klah-vey ]
/ ˈklɑ veɪ /
noun
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.
Origin of clave
2First recorded in 1925–30; Latin American Spanish, Spanish: “keystone,” from Latin clāvis “key”
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use clave in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for clave (1 of 3)
clave1
/ (kleɪv, klɑːv) /
noun
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
Word Origin for clave
C20: from American Spanish, from Latin clavis key
British Dictionary definitions for clave (2 of 3)
British Dictionary definitions for clave (3 of 3)
clave3
/ (kleɪv) /
noun
zoology a clublike thickening at the upper end of an organ, esp of the antenna of an insect
Word Origin for clave
C19: from Latin clāva club
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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