2 definitions found
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Cleave \Cleave\ (kl[=e]v), v. t. [imp. {Cleft} (kl[e^]ft),
{Clave} (kl[=a]v, Obs.), {Clove} (kl[=o]v, Obsolescent); p.
p. {Cleft}, {Cleaved} (kl[=e]vd) or {Cloven} (kl[=o]"v'n); p.
pr & vb n. {Cleaving}.] [OE. cleoven, cleven, AS
cle['o]fan; akin to OS klioban D. klooven G. klieben
Icel. klj[=u]fa, Sw klyfva Dan. kl["o]ve and prob. to Gr
gly`fein to carve, L. glubere to peel. Cf {Cleft}.]
1. To part or divide by force; to split or rive; to cut.
O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain. --Shak.
2. To part or open naturally; to divide.
Every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the
cleft into two claws. --Deut. xiv.
6.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Cleave \Cleave\ (kl[=e]v), v. i. [imp. {Cleaved} (kl[=e]vd),
{Clave} (kl[=a]v, Obs.); p. p. {Cleaved}; p. pr & vb n.
{Cleaving}.] [OE. cleovien clivien cliven, AS cleofian
clifian akin to OS klib[=o]n, G. kleben LG kliven, D.
kleven, Dan. kl[ae]be, Sw klibba and also to G. kleiben to
cleve, paste, Icel. kl[=i]fa to climb. Cf {Climb}.]
1. To adhere closely; to stick; to hold fast to cling.
My bones cleave to my skin. --Ps. cii. 5.
The diseases of Egypt . . . shall cleave unto thee.
--Deut.
xxviii. 60.
Sophistry cleaves close to and protects Sin's rotten
trunk, concealing its defects. --Cowper.
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.
3. To fit to be adapted; to assimilate. [Poetic.]
New honors come upon him Like our strange garments,
cleave not to their mold But with the aid of use
--Shak.
more about cleaving
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Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
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