cleave
Third Person
cleaves
Present Participle
cleaving
Past Tense
cleaved
Past Participle
cleaved
1
to cut something using a sharp tool, often with precision and accuracy
transitive
- The chef deftly cleaved the meat with a sharp knife for precise portions.
- In woodworking, craftsmen often cleave wood to create distinct shapes and pieces.
- To open the coconut, he cleaved it in half using a machete.
- The blacksmith cleaved the red-hot iron with a powerful strike of the hammer.
- The stonemason cleaved the large block of stone into smaller, manageable pieces.
2
to forcefully split or penetrate through something to create a path or opening
transitive
- The climber cleaved a path up the sheer rock face, hammering in pitons as footholds.
- She cleaved the water with powerful strokes as she swam across the lake.
- The knight cleaved his opponent's defenses with a mighty blow of his sword.
- The mountaineer cleaved a path through the dense forest with a machete.
3
to adhere firmly or stick closely to something
transitive
- The strong adhesive cleaves the two materials together securely.
- Yesterday, the glue cleaved the pieces of wood tightly, forming a sturdy bond.
- The new adhesive will cleave the layers of fabric together with exceptional strength.
- The tape is currently cleaving the poster to the wall, ensuring it stays in place.
- By the time they noticed, the glue had already cleaved the parts together, making it difficult to separate them.