† To-cleave

v. Obs. Forms: see CLEAVE v.¹ [OE. tocléofan, f. TO-² + cléofan, CLEAVE v.¹ So OS. teklioðan, OHG. zi-, zeklioban.]

  1.  trans. To cleave asunder; to split open; to divide or separate into two parts.

c. 888.  K. Ælfred, Boeth., xxxiv. § 11. ʓif þu þonne ænne stan toclifst, ne wyrð he næfre ʓegadrod swa he ær wæs.

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Saints’ Lives, xxv. 55. Þa nytenu sind clæne þe to cleofað heora clawa.

c. 1200.  Ormin, 14798. Drihhtin þær toclæf þe sæ.

a. 1375.  Joseph Arim., 516. Þer weoren … harde scheldes to-clouen.

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XII. 141. For þe heihe holigoste heuene shal to-cleue.

  2.  intr. To split or fall asunder.

c. 1205.  Lay., 1920. Corineus … hine fusde mid mæine … Þat his ban to-cluuen.

1377.  Langl., P. Pl., B. XVIII. 246 (MS. B.). The erthe … Quaked … and al to-clief þe roche.

1390.  Gower, Conf., III. 296. The Schip toclef upon a roche.

c. 1430.  Hymns Virg., 41. His herte to-cloue, and he for-bleed.

1571.  Golding, Calvin on Ps. xlvi. 3. The mountaines to clive from their rotes.