cleave
Meaning
-
- To split or sever something with, or as if with, a sharp instrument.
- To break a single crystal (such as a gemstone or semiconductor wafer) along one of its more symmetrical crystallographic planes (often by impact), forming facets on the resulting pieces.
- To make or accomplish by or as if by cutting.
- (chemistry) To split (a complex molecule) into simpler molecules.
- To split.
- Of a crystal, to split along a natural plane of division.
Synonyms
cut asunder
chip at
join with
adhere to
break forth
break in pieces
break into pieces
cut in half
cut open
pierce through
split lengthwise
tear open
strike blows
be suddenly rent asunder
tear asunder
be smashed
be torn
break in two
burst open
devide
Frequency
Pronounced as (IPA)
/kliːv/
Etymology
In summary
From Middle English cleven, from the Old English strong verb clēofan (“to split, to separate”), from Proto-West Germanic *kleuban, from Proto-Germanic *kleubaną, from Proto-Indo-European *glewbʰ- (“to cut, to slice”). Doublet of clive. Cognate with Dutch klieven, dialectal German klieben, Swedish klyva, Norwegian Nynorsk kløyva; also Ancient Greek γλύφω (glúphō, “carve”).
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Notes
