Archaic or dialectical form meaning to split, divide, or cling to something.
From Old English 'cleofan' meaning to split or divide, related to 'cleave.' The word has two opposite meanings: to split apart and to stick together, from different Old English roots that merged.
English has few words as paradoxical as 'cleave' and its variant 'cleve' - it simultaneously means to split apart and to cling together, a linguistic accident that perfectly captures how language can hold contradictions in perfect balance.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.