clove

Noun

1. (countable, uncountable) A very pungent aromatic spice, the unexpanded flower bud of the clove tree.
2. (countable) A clove tree, of the species Syzygium aromaticum (syn. Caryophyllus aromaticus), native to the Moluccas (Indonesian islands), which produces the spice.
3. (countable) An old English measure of weight, containing 7 pounds (3.2 kg), i.e. half a stone.

Verb

simple past of cleave

cleave

• Verb
• Noun

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Pronounced as (IPA)

/kləʊv/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: clove

Cognate with French: clou de girofle

Inherited from Old English: clufu

In summary

From Middle English clove, an alteration of earlier clowe, borrowed from the first component of Old French clou (de girofle) (modern French clou de girofle), from Latin clāvus (“nail”) for its shape. Also see clāva (“knotty branch, club”). Doublet of clou and clavus.

Synonyms

clove tree

garlic clove

Syzygium aromaticum

Eugenia aromaticum

Eugenia caryophyllatum

gap

lilac

lobule

nail

pink

piston ring

ravine

seasoning

section

slice

spice

sweet william

talon

unguis

clove-tree

Eugenia aromaticam

caryophyllus aromaticus

eugenia aromatica

eugenia caryophyllata

eugenia caryophyllus

clove-gillyflower

carnation

the clove-tree

cell

claw

cloves

fingernail

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Translations

clou de girofle

clavo

Gewürznelke

chiodo di garofano

goździk

Syzygium aromaticum

Nelke

kruidnagel

cravo

giroflier

gousse

girofle

Eugenia caryophyllata

Zehe

γαρίφαλο