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Cleave vs Cloven - What's the difference?

cleave | cloven |

As verbs the difference between cleave and cloven

is that cleave is to split or sever something with, or as if with, a sharp instrument or cleave can be to cling, adhere or stick fast to something; used with to or unto while cloven is .

As a noun cleave

is (technology) flat, smooth surface produced by cleavage, or any similar surface produced by similar techniques, as in glass.

As an adjective cloven is

split or divided.

cleave

English

Etymology 1

From (etyl) cleven, from the (etyl) strong verb .

Verb

  • To split or sever something with, or as if with, a sharp instrument.
  • The wings cleaved the foggy air.
  • * Shakespeare
  • O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain.
  • (mineralogy) 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.
  • To make or accomplish by or as if by cutting.
  • The truck cleaved a path through the ice.
  • (chemistry) To split (a complex molecule) into simpler molecules.
  • To split.
  • (mineralogy) Of a crystal, to split along a natural plane of division.
  • Noun

    (en noun)
  • (technology) Flat, smooth surface produced by cleavage, or any similar surface produced by similar techniques, as in glass.
  • Derived terms

    * (l)

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) cleofian, from (etyl) . Cognates include German kleben, Dutch kleven.

    Verb

    (cleav)
  • To cling, adhere or stick fast to something; used with to or unto.
  • cloven

    English

    Verb

    (head)
  • Adjective

    (head)
  • Split or divided.
  • Derived terms

    * cloven foot, cloven-footed * cloven hoof, cloven-hoofed English adjectives ending in -en