n.
Pronunciation: ' kl ē -v ə rz
Function: noun plural but singular or plural in construction
Etymology: Middle English clivre, alteration of Old English clife burdock, cleavers; akin to Old English clifian
Date: 14th century
: an annual bedstraw ( Galium aparine ) having many stalked white flowers and stems covered with curved prickles also : any of several related plants