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cleave

Pronunciation: (klēv), [key]
—v.i., cleaved or (Archaic) clave; cleaved; cleav•ing.
1. to adhere closely; stick; cling (usually fol. by to).
2. to remain faithful (usually fol. by to): to cleave to one's principles in spite of persecution.

cleave

Pronunciation: (klēv), [key]
—v., cleft or cleaved or clove, cleft or cleaved or clo•ven, cleav•ing.

—v.t.
1. to split or divide by or as if by a cutting blow, esp. along a natural line of division, as the grain of wood.
2. to make by or as if by cutting: to cleave a path through the wilderness.
3. to penetrate or pass through (air, water, etc.): The bow of the boat cleaved the water cleanly.
4. to cut off; sever: to cleave a branch from a tree.

—v.i.
1. to part or split, esp. along a natural line of division.
2. to penetrate or advance by or as if by cutting (usually fol. by through).

cleavage

cleaver