cleavers

[ klee-verz ]

noun

, plural cleav·ers.

1. a North American plant, Galium aparine, of the madder family, having short, hooked bristles on the stems and leaves and bearing very small white flowers.
2. any of certain related species.

cleavers

/ ˈkliːvəz /

noun

1. functioning as singular a Eurasian rubiaceous plant, Galium aparine, having small white flowers and prickly stems and fruits Also calledgoosegrasshairifsticky willie

Word History and Origins

Origin of cleavers¹

before 1000; Middle English clivre, Old English clife burdock ( -re probably by association with Middle English clivres (plural) claws, or with the agent noun from cleven to cleave ¹, whence the modern spelling)

Word History and Origins

Origin of cleavers¹

Old English clīfe; related to clīfan to cleave ²

Example Sentences

One woman faced down the two alleged killers who used cleavers and carving knives to hack a soldier to death in London.

From The Daily Beast

Some people swear by cleavers; others (like me) are terrified by them.

From The Daily Beast

The antique fireplace and the ancient mantelpiece were forced to keep company with meat blocks and butchers' cleavers.

From Project Gutenberg

The glaciers are separated by narrow ledges called cleavers, or by each occupying its own deep cañon.

From Project Gutenberg

Then there arrived the butchers, with their marrowbones and cleavers, and began to make their music with zeal.

From Project Gutenberg

It was formerly the custom for butchers' assistants to provide themselves with marrow-bones and cleavers for musical effects.

From Project Gutenberg

The men who play the bells have got scent of the marriage; and the marrow-bones and cleavers too; and a brass band too.

From Project Gutenberg