cleaving
ˈkliː.vɪŋ
Definition Synonyms

Definition of cleaving - Reverso English Dictionary

Adjective

1.
actionssplitting or cutting something apart
  • The cleaving axe was sharp and ready for use.
dividing splitting
2.
adhesionsticking closely to something
  • The cleaving mud made it hard to walk.
adhering clinging sticking

Noun

1.
separationaction of splitting or cutting something apart
  • Cleaving of the log was done with an axe.
2.
attachmentRareaction of sticking or holding tightly to somethingRare
  • Her cleaving to tradition was admired by her family.
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Origin of cleaving

Old English, cleofan (to split)

Terms with cleaving included in their meaning

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process
the act of splitting or cleaving
woodworking
large cleaving tool for splitting wood
biology
cleaving into separate blastomeres during egg division
mineralogy
parallel grooves in crystals from twinning or cleaving

Examples of cleaving in a sentence

  • Cleaving tools are essential for butchery.
  • The cleaving snow stuck to our boots.
  • Cleaving leaves covered the forest floor.
  • The cleaving of firewood took most of the afternoon.
  • He practiced the cleaving of the carcass with a heavy butcher’s cleaver.
  • His cleaving to his faith sustained him through months of recovery.

View all translations of cleaving

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:fendant, fendage, ...
  2. German:spaltend, Spalten, ...
  3. Italian:tagliando, spaccatura, ...
  4. Spanish:partiendo, partición, ...
  5. Portuguese:rachando, racha, ...
  6. Chinese:劈开的, 劈开, ...
  7. Japanese:割っている, 割断, ...
  8. Arabic:قاطع, شَقّ, ...
  9. Hebrew:מְבַקֵּעַ, בִּיקּוּעַ, ...
  10. Russian:рассекающий, раскалывание, ...
  11. Ukrainian:розколювання, розщеплення, ...
  12. Hindi:काटना, चीरना, ...
cleave
kliv
cleftclovecloven

Definition of cleave - Reverso English Dictionary

Verb

1.
split aparttr.split or sever something along a natural linetr.
  • He used an axe to cleave the log in two..
sever split
2.
loyaltyintr.Datedadhere or cling firmly to somethingintr.Dated
  • She cleaved to her beliefs despite criticism.
adhere cling stick
3.
traversetr.penetrate or move through somethingtr.
  • The ship cleaved the icy waters.

Noun

1.
separationdivision or split in something
  • The cleave in the rock was deep.
rift split
2.
technologyTECH.flat surface created by splittingTECH.
  • The cleave of the crystal was perfectly smooth.
division fracture split
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Images of cleave

  • cleave: flat surface created by splitting
    flat surface created by splitting

Expressions with cleave

💡 Discover popular phrases, idioms, collocations, or phrasal verbs. Click any expression to learn more, listen to its pronunciation, or save it to your favorites.
cut away or separate from a whole
He used a knife to cleave off a piece of meat.
make a path by cutting or forcing through something
The explorers cleave a way through the thick jungle.
stay very close or loyal to someone or something
She will always cleave to her family.

Origin of cleave

Old English, cleofan (to split)

Examples of cleave in a sentence

  • The warrior's sword cleaved through the air.
  • He cleaved to his family traditions.
  • They cleave to their principles no matter what.
  • The skier cleaved through fresh powder.
  • Sunlight cleaved the fog over the valley.
  • The cleave between the two factions was irreparable.

View all translations of cleave

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:fendre, fissure, ...
  2. German:spalten, Riss, ...
  3. Italian:spaccare, spaccatura, ...
  4. Spanish:hender, grieta, ...
  5. Portuguese:fender, fenda, ...
  6. Chinese:劈开, 裂缝, ...
  7. Japanese:割る, 裂け目, ...
  8. Arabic:شَقَّ, شَقّ, ...
  9. Hebrew:לְבַקֵּעַ, בְּקִיעַ, ...
  10. Russian:разрубить, раскол, ...
  11. Ukrainian:розколоти, розкол, ...
  12. Hindi:फाड़ना, दरार, ...
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