cleven

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Middle Dutch

Etymology

From Old Dutch clivon, from Proto-Germanic *klibāną, from Proto-Indo-European *gleybʰ- (“to stick”). Weak forms are probably influenced by Etymology 2.

Verb

clēven

  1. to stick, to adhere

Inflection

This verb needs an inflection-table template.

Descendants

  • Dutch: kleven
  • Limburgish: kleive

Further reading

Middle English

Etymology 1

From Old English clēofan, from Proto-West Germanic *kleuban, from Proto-Germanic *kleubaną.

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Verb

cleven

  2. To cleave; to split or slice through:
    1. To slice at; to make a slashing blow.
    2. To make a crack, cut or slice in something.
    3. To chop off (separate or sunder).
  3. To break into small pieces; to shatter.
  4. To open up; to split apart.
  5. To ruin or finish (cause something's destruction) .
  6. To stab someone mortally (by striking at their heart)
Conjugation
Conjugation of cleven (strong class 2/4 or weak in -te/-ed)
infinitive (to) cleven, cleve
present tense past tense
1st-person singular cleve clef, claf, clefte, cleved
2nd-person singular clevest clove, clef, claf, cleftest, clevedest
3rd-person singular cleveth clef, claf, clefte, cleved
subjunctive singular cleve clove1, clefte1, cleved1
imperative singular —
plural2 cleven, cleve cloven, clove, cleften, clefte, cleveden, clevede
imperative plural cleveth, cleve —
participles clevynge, clevende cloven, clove, cleft, cleved, ycloven, yclove

1 Replaced by the indicative in later Middle English.
2 Sometimes used as a formal 2nd-person singular.

Descendants
References

Etymology 2

Originally two distinct verbs:

Alternative forms

Pronunciation

Verb

cleven

  2. To stick or adhere (often with on or to):
    1. To have cohesion or unity; to adhere together.
    2. To cling (hold onto something)
      • 1395, Wycliffe Bible, Ruth 1:14:
        Therfor, whanne the vois was reisid, eft thei bigunnen to wepe. Orpha kisside the modir of hir hosebonde, and turnede ayen, and Ruth cleuyde to the modir of hir hosebonde.
        Afterwards, when the voice was raised, they began to weep again. Orpah kissed the mother of her husband, and turned around, and Ruth cleaved to the mother of her husband.
        (please add an English translation of this quotation)
  3. To be adhesive or sticky; to cause to adhere.
  4. To be an inherent or inseparable part; to be intrinsic.
  5. To withstand or stay put; to weather time.
  6. To believe in a creed or belief.
  7. To trust or follow someone.
  8. (rare) To stay balanced or coherent.
  9. (rare) To convince; to spread one's beliefs.
  10. (rare) To acquire (belongings)
Usage notes

Strong forms of this verb are mostly limited to Northern Middle English.

Conjugation
Conjugation of cleven (weak in -ed or strong class 1)
infinitive (to) cleven, cleve
present tense past tense
1st-person singular cleve cleved, clof
2nd-person singular clevest clevedest, clove, clive, clof
3rd-person singular cleveth cleved, clof
subjunctive singular cleve cleved1, clove1, clive1
imperative singular —
plural2 cleven, cleve cleveden, clevede, cloven, clove, cliven, clive
imperative plural cleveth, cleve —
participles clevynge, clevende cleved, cliven, clive, ycleved, ycliven

1 Replaced by the indicative in later Middle English.
2 Sometimes used as a formal 2nd-person singular.

Descendants
References
Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia