~ 1
past participle of cleave 1 .
■ adjective split, divided, or partially divided into two.
Phrases
be (or be caught ) in a ~ stick be in a situation in which any action one takes will have adverse consequences.
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~ 2
■ noun
1》 a fissure or split in rock or the ground.
2》 an indentation or deep hollow in a person's forehead or chin, or between two parts of the body.
Origin
ME clift : of Gmc origin; related to cleave 1 and alt. by assoc. with ~ 1 .