I. ˈklēv intransitive verb
( cleaved ˈklēvd ; or clove ˈklōv ; also clave ˈklāv ; cleaved cleav·ing )
Etymology: Middle English clevien, from Old English clifian; akin to Old High German kleben to stick
Date: before 12th century
: to adhere firmly and closely or loyally and unwaveringly
Synonyms: see stick
II. verb
( cleaved ˈklēvd ; also cleft ˈkleft ; or clove ˈklōv ; cleaved also cleft or clo·ven ˈklō-vən ; cleav·ing )
Etymology: Middle English cleven, from Old English clēofan; akin to Old Norse kljūfa to split, Latin glubere to peel, Greek glyphein to carve
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1. : to divide by or as if by a cutting blow : split
2. : to separate into distinct parts and especially into groups having divergent views
3. : to subject to chemical cleavage
a protein cleaved by an enzyme
intransitive verb
1. : to split especially along the grain
2. : to penetrate or pass through something by or as if by cutting
Synonyms: see tear