Category:Cleft

Cleft, imp. & p. p.

Defn: from Cleave.

cleft Cleft, a.

1. Divided; split; partly divided or split.

2. (Bot.)

Defn: Incised nearly to the midrob; as, a cleft leaf.

cleft Cleft, n. Etym: [OE. clift; cf. Sw. klyft cave, den, Icel. kluft cleft, Dan. klöft, G. kluft. See Cleave to split and cf. 2d Clift, 1st Clough.]

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.)

Defn: A disease in horses; a crack on the band of the pastern. Branchial clefts. See under Branchial.

Syn. -- Crack; crevice; fissure; chink; cranny.