cleave: Meaning and Definition of

cleave

Pronunciation: (klēv), [key]
— cleaved clave cleaved cleav&syling.
  1. to adhere closely; stick; cling (usually fol. by to).
  2. to remain faithful (usually fol. by to): to cleave to one's principles in spite of persecution.

cleave

Pronunciation: (klēv), [key]
— v., cleft cleaved clove, cleft cleaved clo•ven, cleav•ing.
—v.t.
  1. to split or divide by or as if by a cutting blow, esp. along a natural line of division, as the grain of wood.
  2. to make by or as if by cutting: to cleave a path through the wilderness.
  3. to penetrate or pass through (air, water, etc.): The bow of the boat cleaved the water cleanly.
  4. to cut off; sever: to cleave a branch from a tree.
—v.i.
  1. to part or split, esp. along a natural line of division.
  2. to penetrate or advance by or as if by cutting (usually fol. by through).
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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