So 6–; also 7 cleuise, clevisse, clevies; clivies, 7–8 clives, 9 clivvis; 8 clevvy, 9 clevy. [Of uncertain form and origin: in most of the quotations treated as a singular (with pl., in 9 clevises); but in some as plural, with clevy, clevvy as its sing. It might be an OE. *clyfes:—kluƀisî (like yfes eaves), f. weak stem of kleuƀ-, cléof to CLEAVE, the thing being perhaps orig. a cloven or forked piece. Cf. Ger. klobe.]
A U-shaped piece of iron, with a pin or bolt passing through holes in the two ends, whereby it can be bolted on to the end of a beam or the like, so as to form a loop to which tackle may be attached. The simple shape is variously modified according to purpose; in Mining it becomes a hook with a pin or bolt (cf. clip-hook: CLIP1 3).
a. as a means of connecting a plow or cart with the gear of the draught animal.
1592. Lanc. & Chesh. Wills, III. 39. My best paire of clevis, my best plowe.
1613. Markham, Eng. Husbandman, I. I. viii. (1635), 44. This Clevisse is a helpe for the evill making or going of a Plough.
1616. Surfl. & Markh., Countr. Farme, 533. If it be Oxen, then there is but the plow cleuise, the teames, the yoakes, and beeles.
1649. Blithe, Eng. Improv. Impr. (1652), 213. Your chain that is put upon your plough-cock or clevies.
1790. W. Marshall, Midl. Counties (E. D. S.), Clevvy, a species of draft-iron of a plow.
1828. Webster, Clevy, Clevis, an iron … used on the end of a cart-neap to hold the chain of the forward horse or oxen; or a draft iron on a plow.
1868. B. J. Lossing, Hudson, 227. There were a dozen links of the chain, and two huge clevises.
b. in Mining: see quot.
1653. Manlove, Lead Mines, 271 (E. D. S.). Corfe, Clivies, Deads, Meers, Groves.
1747. Hooson, Miner’s Dict., F j. At the end of the Rope a Knot is made, and thereon the Clives rests.
1802. J. Mawe, Min. Derbysh., Gloss., Clevis. An iron at the end of the engine rope, on which the bucket is hung.
1851. Tapping, Gloss. Derbysh. Min. T. (E. D. S.), Clives, clivies, the iron hoop or swivel at the end of the rope in which the kibble or corfe is suspended.
1876. C. Robinson, Mid-Yorksh. Gloss. (E. D. S.), Clivvis, a spring-hook.
¶ Cf. the following:
1888. North. N. & Q., June, 29. Candleholders were originally made entirely of wood, the stalk having a cleft, called a ‘clevie,’ at the top to hold the fir candle.
