Cleaves

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /kliːvz/

Definitions

1. To split or sever something forcefully, often along a natural line or grain ; to stick closely or cling firmly to something or someone
2. To cut or break apart with force, typically separating into parts ; to remain attached or hold fast to an object or person
3. To cause to divide by striking sharply ; to adhere tightly or be faithful to an idea, person, or substance

Etymology: The most striking thing about "cleaves" is that its two meanings come from two different verbs that merged in English. The verb meaning "to split" descends from an Old English strong verb "clēofan," which meant to split or separate, and it is traceable back to a prehistoric root meaning "to cut or slice." Ancient Greek "glúphō," meaning "carve," is a distant relative of that same root. The other sense, "to stick or hold fast," comes from different Old English verbs, "clifian" and "clīfan," which were rooted in a prehistoric word for "to stick." German "kleben" and Dutch "kleven" preserve that sense today. Middle English speakers then blended these verbs together into the single form "cleven," so one spelling came to carry two near-opposite meanings: to split apart and to cling together. "Cleaves" is simply the third-person singular present form of "cleave," so it shares this double history.

Synonyms: splits, divides, cuts, severs, slices

Antonyms: joins, unites, merges, combines, connects