cleave

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1 1.1.1 Verb 1.1.1.1 Translations 1.1.2 Noun 1.1.2.1 Related terms 1.2 Etymology 2 1.2.1 Verb 1.2.1.1 Quotations 1.3 References

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology 1

From the strong Old English verb clēofan (“‘to split, to separate’”), from Proto-Germanic *kleubanan, from Proto-Indo-European root *gleubh- (“‘to cut, to slice’”). Cognates include dialectal German klieben.

[edit] Verb

to cleave (third-person singular simple present cleaves, present participle cleaving, simple past cleft, clove, or in UK: cleaved, past participle cleft, cloven, or in UK: cleaved)

1. (transitive) To split or sever something or as if with a sharp instrument.
2. (transitive, mineralogy) 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.
3. (transitive) To make or accomplish by or as if by cutting: cleave a path through the ice.
4. (transitive) To pierce or penetrate.

   The wings cleaved the foggy air.

5. (transitive, chemistry) To split (a complex molecule) into simpler molecules.
6. (intransitive, mineralogy) Of a crystal, to split along a natural plane of division.

[edit] Translations

• Vietnamese: rẽ

[edit] Noun

cleave (plural cleaves)

1. (technology, jargon) Flat, smooth surface produced by cleavage, or any similar surface produced by similar techniques, as in glass.

[edit] Related terms

• cleavage
• cleft

[edit] Etymology 2

From Old English cleofian, from West Germanic *klibajanan, from Proto-Indo-European root *gloi- (“‘to stick’”). Cognates include German kleben (ankleben, bekleben).

[edit] Verb

to cleave (third-person singular simple present cleaves, present participle cleaving, simple past and past participle cleaved)

1. (intransitive) To cling, adhere or stick fast to something; used with to or unto.
2. (intransitive) To be faithful.

   To cleave to one’s principles.

[edit] Quotations

• 1611, King James Version of the Bible (Authorized Version)^[1], Genesis, 2:24

  Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.

[edit] References

• "cleave" at The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911.

“cleave” in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.