What is cleave definition?

Cleave has two primary definitions which are completely opposite to each other:

  1. To split or sever something, especially with a sharp tool or object. For instance, you can cleave a log of wood using an axe.

  2. To adhere strongly or stick together. For instance, a couple in love might be said to cleave to each other.

The word can be used in various contexts, including cutting a path through a jungle or separating meat from bone. In literature, it can be used to describe the process of dividing something, such as a family or country. The word cleave is commonly used in cooking, particularly when discussing meat, as an instruction for separating or cutting meat from the bone.