Cleave v. t. [imp. Cleft Clave ( Obs.), Clove ( Obsolescent); p. p. Cleft, Cleaved or Cloven p. pr. & vb. n. Cleaving.]
  1. To part or divide by force; to split or rive; to cut.
     O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain.   --Shak.
  2. To part or open naturally; to divide.
     Every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws.   --Deut. xiv. 6.
  Clo·ven p. p. & a. from Cleave, v. t.
  To show the cloven foot or To show the cloven hoof, to reveal a devilish character, or betray an evil purpose, notwithstanding disguises, -- Satan being represented dramatically and symbolically as having cloven hoofs.
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  cleave
       v 1: separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument;
            "cleave the bone" [syn: split, rive]
       2: make by cutting into; "The water is going to cleave a
          channel into the rock"
       3: come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and
          resist separation; "The dress clings to her body"; "The
          label stuck to the box"; "The sushi rice grains cohere"
          [syn: cling, adhere, stick, cohere]
       [also: cloven, clove, cleft]
  cloven
       adj : used of hooves [syn: cleft, bisulcate]