Cleave

v. i. [imp. CLEAVED (CLAVE, obs.); p. p. CLEAVED; p. pr. & vb. n. CLEAVING.] [A-S. clifian, clifigen, O. H. Ger. chliban, chliepen, chlebēn, chliepen, N. H. Ger. kleben, L. Ger. kleven, kliven, D. kleeven, Dan. kläbe, klebe, Sw. klibba.]

1Sense 1. To adhere closely; to stick; to hold fast.

My bones cleave to my skin. Ps. cii. 5.

Sophistry cleaves close to and protects Sin’s rotten trunk. Couper.

2Sense 2. To unite or be united closely in interest or affection; to adhere with strong attachment.

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife. Gen. ii. 24.

Cleave unto the Lord your God. Josh. xxiii. 8.

3Sense 3. To unite or cohere with fitness; to be shaped or adapted; to suit; to agree.

*New honors come upon him Like our strange garments; cleave not to their mold, But with the aid of use.* Shak.

[imp. CLEFT (CLAVE, obs., CLOVE, obsolescent); p. p. CLEFT or CLEAVED; p. pr. & vb. n. CLEAVING.] [A-S. cleofan, clæfan, O. Sax. clioban, O. H. Ger. kliuban, chliopan, N. H. Ger. kleiben, Icel. kljúfa, Sw. klyfva, Dan. klöve, D. cloven.]

1Sense 1. To part or divide by force; to split or rive.

At their passing cleave the Assyrian flood, . . . As the Red Sea and Jordan once he cleft. Milton.

2Sense 2. To part or open naturally; to divide. “Every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws.” Deut. xiv. 6.