I. ˈklōv noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English clufu; akin to Old Saxon cluf lōc garlic, Old High German chlobi louh, Old Norse klofi cleft, Old English clēofan to split — more at cleave
: one of the small bulbs developed in the axils of the scales of a large bulb (as in garlic)
II.
past of cleave
III. noun
( -s )
Etymology: modification (influenced by Latin clavus ) of Anglo-French clou, literally, nail, from Latin clavus — more at clavus
: any of various old English units of weight (as for wool, cheese) ; especially : one equal to eight pounds
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: alteration (probably influenced by clove ) (I) of Middle English clowe, cloue, from Old French clou ( de girofle ), literally, nail of clove, from Latin clavus nail
1.
a. : the pungent fragrant aromatic reddish brown dried flower bud of a tropical tree
b. : a spice consisting of whole or ground cloves — usually used in plural; see clove oil
2. : a moderate-sized very symmetrical red-flowered tropical evergreen tree ( Eugenia caryophyllata or Syzygium aromaticum ) of the family Myrtaceae that is probably native to the Moluccas but is now widely cultivated in the tropics (as Zanzibar and Madagascar) for its flower buds which are the source of cloves
3. : sherry 2
V. noun
( -s )
Etymology: Dutch klove, kloof; akin to Old English clēofan to split — more at cleave
: cleft , gap , ravine — used chiefly in place names