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Verb: cleave (clove,cloven, also cleaved,cleft)  kleev
  1. Separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument
    "cleave the bone";
    - split, rive [archaic]
     
  2. Make by cutting into
    "The water is going to cleave a channel into the rock"
     
  3. Come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
    "The dress cleaves to her body";
    - cling, adhere, stick, cohere

Derived forms: cleaves, cleaved, clove, cloven, cleaving

Type of: adjoin, contact, create, make, meet, tear, touch

Encyclopedia: Cleave, Robert