Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- adjective Split; divided.
from The Century Dictionary.
- Divided; parted; split; riven.
- In heraldry See
sarcelled .
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- past participle from
cleave , v. t. - past participle to reveal a devilish character, or betray an evil purpose, notwithstanding disguises, -- Satan being represented dramatically and symbolically as having cloven hoofs.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- verb Past participle of
cleave - adjective
Split ordivided .
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- adjective (used of hooves) split, divided
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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Therefore some think it was with a rushing mighty wind, and in cloven tongues, as that was.
Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume VI (Acts to Revelation) 1721
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Spirit was given in cloven tongues as of fire, introduced by a rushing mighty wind, which was very tempestuous, Acts ii.
Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume III (Job to Song of Solomon) 1721
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The Holy Ghost indeed once descended in cloven tongues as of fire, Acts ii.
Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume VI (Acts to Revelation) 1721
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All creatures that chew the cud have two toes, or are what is called cloven-footed.
Twilight and Dawn Simple Talks on the Six Days of Creation Caroline Pridham
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For example, if one uses the differentia footed to divide the genus animal, one then uses a differentia such as cloven-footed for the next division.
Aristotle's Metaphysics Cohen, S. Marc 2008
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It may here be noted that the natural electric flame is DUAL or 'cloven' in shape.
A Romance of Two Worlds Marie Corelli 1889
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Therefore, the bird next to the leader does not follow right behind him in the 'cloven' air, but flies nearly alongside, so that it has the leader in a direct line with its right or left eye at a distance of about two wing-flaps.
Norse Tales and Sketches Alexander Lange Kielland 1877
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This is an old explanation; but your correspondent does not appear to be aware that "cloven" has been rejected by high classical authority, as not being a correct interpretation of the word [Greek: diamerizomenai].
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Her eyes widened at the sight of his torn shirt, the front nearly shredded by sharp, cloven hooves.
Western Man Janet Dailey 2011
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It also had the legs of a goat, complete with black fur, a short tail, and cloven hooves.
Superhero Nation: how to write superhero novels and comic books » The Chozen’s Review Forum 2009
mollusque commented on the word cloven
You could see the impression of Milton's cloven backside in the leather upholstery. Tessie filled this hollow with throw pillows in order to see over the steering wheel.
—Jeffrey Eugenides, 2002, Middlesex, p. 516
August 17, 2008
bilby commented on the word cloven
"(Alarum far off.)
Hark you far off!
There is Aufidius; list what work he makes
Amongst your cloven army."
- William Shakespeare, 'The Tragedy of Coriolanus'.
August 28, 2009
MTrebing commented on the word cloven
Angels appear from the broken sky:
"Still through the cloven skies they come,
With peaceful wings unfurled;"
From the hymnal, It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, from a poem by the same name.
January 21, 2012
hernesheir commented on the word cloven
sarceled. Pig butchery seems to dominate the visuals provided.
February 12, 2013