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Cleave

/kliːv/

Flat, smooth surface produced by cleavage, or any similar surface produced by similar techniques, as in glass.

Full Dictionary Entry

📖 Definitions of "Cleave"

noun

1
Flat, smooth surface produced by cleavage, or any similar surface produced by similar techniques, as in glass.

verb

1
To split or sever something with, or as if with, a sharp instrument.
"The wings cleaved the foggy air."
2
To break a single crystal (such as a gemstone or semiconductor wafer) along one of its more symmetrical crystallographic planes (often by impact), forming facets on the resulting pieces.
3
To make or accomplish by or as if by cutting.
"The truck cleaved a path through the ice."
4
To split (a complex molecule) into simpler molecules.

🔄 Synonyms of "Cleave"

2 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
splitverb	(transitive, ergative, of something solid) To divide fully or partly along a more or less straight line.
rivenoun	(intransitive) To break apart; to split.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Cleave"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
riveverb	(intransitive) To break apart; to split.
splitverb	(transitive, ergative, of something solid) To divide fully or partly along a more or less straight line.
rendverb	(transitive) To separate into parts with force or sudden violence; to split; to burst.
hewverb	(ambitransitive) To chop away at; to whittle down; to mow down.
seververb	(transitive) To cut free.
adhereverb	(intransitive) To stick fast or cleave, as a glutinous substance does; to become joined or united.
wedgenoun	One of the simple machines; a piece of material, such as metal or wood, thick at one edge and tapered to a thin edge at the other for insertion in a narrow crevice, used for splitting, tightening, securing, or levering.
forcleaveverb	(obsolete) to cut to pieces, hack, chop up.
chapnoun	(dated outside UK and Australia) A man, a fellow.
enchaseverb	To set (a gemstone, etc.) into.
slicenoun	A thin, broad piece cut off.
becarveverb	(transitive) To cut; carve or cut up; cut in pieces; carve.
splintnoun	(medicine) A device to immobilize a body part.
slice and diceverb	(transitive) To cut and chop to pieces.
cut upverb	(transitive) To cut into smaller pieces, parts, or sections.
inciseverb	(transitive) To cut in or into with a sharp instrument; to carve; to engrave.
acuminatenoun	Tapering to a point; pointed.
fissurenoun	A long, narrow crack or opening made by breaking or splitting, especially in rock or earth.
clutchnoun	A small handbag or purse with no straps or handle.
fissnoun	(transitive, nonstandard) To split apart into multiple entities.