Clave \Clave\, imp. of Cleave. [Obs.]

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

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.

O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain. --Shak.

2. To part or open naturally; to divide.

Every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws. --Deut. xiv. 6.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

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[=i]fa to climb. Cf. Climb.]

1. To adhere closely; to stick; to hold fast; to cling.

My bones cleave to my skin. --Ps. cii. 5.

The diseases of Egypt . . . shall cleave unto thee. --Deut. xxviii. 60.

Sophistry cleaves close to and protects Sin's rotten trunk, concealing its defects. --Cowper.

2. To unite or be united closely in interest or affection; to adhere with strong attachment.

Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife. --Gen. ii. 24.

Cleave unto the Lord your God. --Josh. xxiii. 8.

3. To fit; to be adapted; to assimilate. [Poetic.]

New honors come upon him, Like our strange garments, cleave not to their mold But with the aid of use. --Shak.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)