Advertisement
Advertisement
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
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.
Many found buildings cleaved in half, crushed cars and ruined towns.
The story neatly cleaves into two distinct eras.
From a bird’s eye view, Linting’s candidacy cleaves to many patterns typical of the modern GOP.
Elisabeth’s solution is a solution — a green goo called the Substance — that cleaves her cells in two and grows a second, youthful her who climbs out of her back and takes over her existence.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Browse