clave

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[imac]fa to climb. Cf. {Climb}.]
   1. To adhere closely; to stick; to hold fast; to cling.
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            My bones cleave to my skin.           --Ps. cii. 5.
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            The diseases of Egypt . . . shall cleave unto thee.
                                                  --Deut.
                                                  xxviii. 60.
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            Sophistry cleaves close to and protects
            Sin's rotten trunk, concealing its defects.
                                                  --Cowper.
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   2. To unite or be united closely in interest or affection; to
      adhere with strong attachment.
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            Therefore shall a man leave his father and his
            mother, and shall cleave unto his wife. --Gen. ii.
                                                  24.
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            Cleave unto the Lord your God.        --Josh. xxiii.
                                                  8.
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   3. To fit; to be adapted; to assimilate. [Poetic.]
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            New honors come upon him,
            Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mold
            But with the aid of use.              --Shak.
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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.
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            O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain. --Shak.
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   2. To part or open naturally; to divide.
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            Every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the
            cleft into two claws.                 --Deut. xiv.
                                                  6.
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Clave \Clave\ (kl[=a]v),
   imp. of {Cleave}. [Obs.]
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