cleft Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin)
  2. noun a long narrow opening
    crevice; scissure; fissure; crack.
  3. verb separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument
    rive; cleave; split.
    • cleave the bone
  4. verb make by cutting into
    cleave.
    • The water is going to cleave a channel into the rock
  5. verb come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
    cohere; cleave; stick; cling; adhere.
    • The dress clings to her body
    • The label stuck to the box
    • The sushi rice grains cohere
  6. adjective satellite having one or more incisions reaching nearly to the midrib
    dissected.

WordNet

Cleft imperfect & past participle
Definitions
  1. from Cleave.
Cleft adjective
Definitions
  1. Divided; split; partly divided or split.
  2. (Bot.) Incised nearly to the midrob; as, a cleft leaf.
Cleft noun
Etymology
OE. clift; cf. Sw. klyft cave, den, Icel. kluft cleft, Dan. klöft, G. kluft. See Cleave to split and cf. 2d Clift, 1st Clough.
Definitions
  1. A space or opening made by splitting; a crack; a crevice; as, the cleft of a rock. Is. ii. 21.
  2. A piece made by splitting; as, a cleft of wood.
  3. (Far.) A disease in horses; a crack on the band of the pastern. Syn. -- Crack; crevice; fissure; chink; cranny.

Webster 1913