cleave

  1. Verb.  (transitive) To split or sever something or as if with a sharp instrument.
  2. Verb.  (transitive, mineralogy) To break a single crystal (such as a gemstone or semiconductor wafer) along one of its more symmetrical crystallographic planes (often by impact), forming facets on the resulting pieces.
  3. Verb.  (transitive) To make or accomplish by or as if by cutting.
  4. Verb.  (transitive, chemistry) To split (a complex molecule) into simpler molecules.
  5. Verb.  (intransitive) To split.
  6. Verb.  (intransitive, mineralogy) Of a crystal, to split along a natural plane of division.
  7. Noun.  (technology) Flat, smooth surface produced by cleavage, or any similar surface produced by similar techniques, as in glass.
  8. Verb.  (intransitive) To cling, adhere or stick fast to something; used with to or unto.
  9. Verb.  (intransitive) To be faithful.

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This entry was last updated on RefTopia from its source on 3/20/2012.