Now local. Forms: 3 cleof, clef, cleoue, 3–7 cleue, 5 clefe, 6–7 clief, clieue, 4– cleve, 6– cleeve (9 improp. cleave). [ME. cleof, cleove, a variant of clif, CLIFF, founded on the OE. pl. forms cleofu, cleofum (eo = u-fracture of i). (Sometimes erroneously spelt cleave and associated with cleave to split, with which it has no connection.) In many local names, e.g., Clevedon, Cleveland, Cleeve Hill, Old Cleeve. Cf. CLEO, CLIFF.]

1

  1.  = CLIFF. dial.

2

[a. 1000.  Riddles, iv. 28. Ofer cald cleofu.]

3

c. 1275.  Lay., 1915. Was þe cleue swiþe heh. Ibid., 1926. Þat clef [c. 1205 clif] þare.

4

a. 1400[?].  Morte Arth., 2396. A knyghte in theis klevys, enclesside with hilles.

5

1529.  Rastell, Pastyme, Prol. (1811), 5. The white Cleevys and Rokkys at Douer.

6

1547.  J. Harrison, Exhort. Scottes, 213. Called Albion … of the White Rockes and Cleues, whiche appere vpon the sea costes.

7

1555.  Fardle Facions, II. ix. 203. Vpon the toppe of a high clieue, hangyng ouer the Sea.

8

1563–87.  Foxe, A. & M. (1684), I. 734/2. Fenced with high Rocks and Cleaves.

9

1612.  Drayton, Poly-olb., xviii. (R.). Rob Dover’s neighbouring cleeves of sampyre.

10

1613–6.  W. Browne, Brit. Past., I. iv. O ye sea-binding cleeves!

11

[c. 1630.  Risdon, Surv. Devon, § 225 (1811), 240. They tumble over cliff (rimes with relief).]

12

  † 2.  The coast or shore of the sea. Obs.

13

c. 1385.  Chaucer, L. G. W., 1466, Hipsiphile & Medea. Roamyng on the clyvys [v.r. cleuys, clevis] by the se.

14

1387.  Trevisa, Higden (Rolls), II. 37 (Mátz.). Wighte … is in þe est side sex myle from þe souþ of Bretayne cleef [a meridiano Britanniæ littore]. Ibid. (1398), Barth. De P. R., XII. i. (Tollem. MS.). And draweþ þe pray … to þe cleue [ad littus trahit].

15

  3.  A steep sloping ground, the steep side of a hill; = Sc. brae. (The common sense in s. w. of England, and well known on Dartmoor.)

16

c. 1275.  Lay., 20861. Þanne flieþ he [þe fox] to þan cleoue and his hol secheþ. Ibid., 20847. In þan wilde cleues.

17

c. 1420.  Pallad. on Husb., II. 167. Two foote and half the feeld, and three the cleves.

18

1499.  Promp. Parv. (Pynson). Clefe of an hyll, declivum.

19

1833.  Blackw. Mag., XXXIV. 872. By grassy bank or cleve.

20

1880.  Blackmore, Mary Anerley, I. vi. 64. Furzy cleve for hare and partridge.

21

1882.  Athenæum, 26 Aug., 265/3. Every one who has once seen Dartmoor knows exactly what is meant by a tor and a cleave.

22

1888.  Elworthy, W. Somerset Word-bk., Cleeve, a steep field; any steep, sloping ground; the side of a hill.

23