rive

[rahyv]

verb (used with object)

rived, rived, riven, riving. 

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, riven, riving. 

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 Word Forms

• unrived 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

Small towns were riven between people calling themselves Patriots and British Loyalists.

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Indeed, a key reason Powell pushed back so bluntly against expectations of such a cut at the press conference that day was to manage a committee riven by seemingly unbridgeable differences.

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The European Union, riven by infighting between member states, cannot agree on its target, while India is another major emitter yet to finalise its pledge.

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The move caps a dramatic month in oil markets, riven by concerns of a supply glut and uncertainty over sanctions on Russian producers.

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The question he posed has riven the judicial system, splitting district judges from appellate panels and the Pacific Coast from the Midwest.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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