[clove] n [ME, fr. OE clufu; akin to OE cleofan to cleave] (bef. 12c): one of the small bulbs (as in garlic) developed in the axils of the scales of a large bulb
[2]clove past of cleave [3]clove n [alter. of ME clowe, fr. OF clou (de girofle), lit., nail of clove, fr. L clavus nail] (13c): the dried flower bud of a tropical tree (Syzygium aromaticum syn. Eugenia aromatica) of the myrtle family that is used as a spice and is the source of an oil; also: this tree