cleaves; cleaved /ˈkliːvd/ also cleft /ˈklɛft/ or clove /ˈkloʊv/ ; cleaved also cleft or cloven /ˈkloʊvən/ ; cleaving cleaves; cleaved /ˈkliːvd/ also cleft /ˈklɛft/ or clove /ˈkloʊv/ ; cleaved also cleft or cloven /ˈkloʊvən/ ; cleaving Learner's definition of CLEAVE
formal + literary
1
a : to split (something) by hitting it with something heavy and sharp砍开;劈开;剁开 [+ object]
[no object]
b : to pass easily and quickly through (something)轻松穿过;迅速穿越 [+ object]
[no object]
2
[+ object] : to separate (something) into parts使分裂;使分开 cleaves; cleaved /ˈkliːvd/ or clove /ˈkloʊv/ ; cleaved; cleaving cleaves; cleaved /ˈkliːvd/ or clove /ˈkloʊv/ ; cleaved; cleaving Learner's definition of CLEAVE
cleave to
[phrasal verb] formal + literary 1
cleave to (someone) : to stay very close to (someone)紧贴,依恋(某人) 2
cleave to (something) : to stick closely to (something)粘住,黏住(某物) —
usually used figuratively通常用作比喻