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]