O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain. --Shak.
2. To part or open naturally; to divide.
Every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the
cleft into two claws. --Deut. xiv.
6.
My bones cleave to my skin. --Ps. cii. 5.
The diseases of Egypt . . . shall cleave unto thee.
--Deut.
xxviii. 60.
Sophistry cleaves close to and protects Sin's rotten
trunk, concealing its defects. --Cowper.
2. To unite or be united closely in interest or affection; to
adhere with strong attachment.
Therefore shall a man leave his father and his
mother, and shall cleave unto his wife. --Gen. ii.
24.
Cleave unto the Lord your God. --Josh. xxiii.
8.
3. To fit; to be adapted; to assimilate. [Poetic.]
New honors come upon him, Like our strange garments,
cleave not to their mold But with the aid of use.
--Shak.
The Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst. --Zech.
xiv. 4.