cleven
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
- to stick, to adhere
Inflection
This verb needs an inflection-table template.
Descendants
- Dutch: kleven
- Limburgish: kleive
Further reading
- “cleven (II)”, in Vroegmiddelnederlands Woordenboek, 2000
- Verwijs, E.; Verdam, J. (1885–1929), “cleven (I)”, in Middelnederlandsch Woordenboek, The Hague: Martinus Nijhoff, →ISBN, page I
Middle English
Etymology 1
From Old English clēofan, from Proto-West Germanic *kleuban, from Proto-Germanic *kleubaną.
Alternative forms
- clyvyn, cleoven, cleeve, cleev, cleve
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈkleːvən/
Verb
cleven
- To cleave; to split or slice through:
- To slice at; to make a slashing blow.
- To make a crack, cut or slice in something.
- To chop off (separate or sunder).
- To break into small pieces; to shatter.
- To open up; to split apart.
- To ruin or finish (cause something's destruction) .
- 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 |
1Replaced by the indicative in later Middle English.
2Sometimes used as a formal 2nd-person singular.
Related terms
- clevere
- clevynge
- clove
- cloven
Descendants
- English: cleave
- Scots: cleave
References
- “clẹ̄ven, v.(2).”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-06-8.
Etymology 2
Originally two distinct verbs:
- Old English cleofian, clifian, from Proto-West Germanic *klibēn, from Proto-Germanic *klibāną.
- Old English clīfan, from Proto-West Germanic *klīban, from Proto-Germanic *klībaną.
Alternative forms
- cliven, clefian, clyven, cleeven, clevyn, clevyen, cleovien, cleve, clyve, cliviȝe
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈklɛːvən/, /ˈkleːvən/, /ˈklɛvən/, /ˈklivən/
Verb
cleven
- To stick or adhere (often with on or to):
- To have cohesion or unity; to adhere together.
- 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.
- 1395 Wycliffe Bible, Ruth 1:14:
- To be adhesive or sticky; to cause to adhere.
- To be an inherent or inseparable part; to be intrinsic.
- To withstand or stay put; to weather time.
- To believe in a creed or belief.
- To trust or follow someone.
- (rare) To stay balanced or coherent.
- (rare) To convince; to spread one's beliefs.
- (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 |
1Replaced by the indicative in later Middle English.
2Sometimes used as a formal 2nd-person singular.
Related terms
- clevynge
Descendants
- English: cleave
- Scots: cleave, cleif
References
- “clēven, v.(1).”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 2018-06-8.