cleaves
word · lemma: cleave
Definition
'Cleaves' is the third person singular of 'cleave', which can mean either to split something apart forcefully or to stick closely to something or someone.
Usage & Nuances
'Cleave' is a rare verb with two opposite meanings: 'split apart' (e.g., 'a knife cleaves the meat') and 'stick closely' (e.g., 'love cleaves to the heart'). Context is essential to understand which meaning is intended. More common in formal or literary English.
Spanish: parte - se adhierePortuguese (BR): parte - se apegaPortuguese (PT): fende - se apegaChinese (Simplified): 劈開 - 緊貼Chinese (Traditional): 劈開 - 緊貼Hindi: चीरता है - चिपका रहता हैArabic: ينشق - يلتصقBengali: চিরে ফেলে - দৃঢ়ভাবে ধরে রাখেRussian: рассекает - крепко держитсяJapanese: 割る - 固く結びつくVietnamese: chẻ ra - gắn bó chặt chẽKorean: 가르다 - 달라붙다Turkish: yarmak - sıkı sıkıya bağlı kalmakUrdu: چیرنا - مضبوطی سے جڑے رہناIndonesian: membelah - melekat erat
Example Sentences
The axe cleaves the wood in two.
basic
She cleaves to her beliefs no matter what.
basic
The group cleaves into two factions during the debate.
basic
He cleaves to tradition, even as times change.
natural
His sword cleaves the darkness as he fights.
natural
She cleaves to her best friend through thick and thin.
natural