cleft

Noun · Adjective
US[kleft]/klɛft/1 syllable
Synonyms: crackcrevicefissurescissuredissected

Open English WordNet

Noun (2)

  1. a split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin)Type of indentation, indenture
  2. a long narrow cleftSynonyms: crackcrevicefissurescissureType of opening, gapKinds fault, vent, fatigue crack, slit, split, chink, crevasse, rift, chap

Adjective (2)

  1. split or divided“he had a cleft chin and strong jaw”“the infant was born with a double harelip and cleft palate”“a cleft stick”Opposite unitedSimilar divided
  2. having one or more indentations reaching nearly to the midribSynonyms: dissectedOpposite simpleSimilar compound

Related words cleave verb, crack verb

Word of the day · Nov 4About this word
insipidadjective

What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz

Advertisement

Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Cleft (klĕft),

past tense & past participle from Cleave.

Cleft adjective

1. Divided; split; partly divided or split.

2. Botany Incised nearly to the midrib; as, a cleft leaf.

Cleft noun

Origin: 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. Farriery A disease in horses; a crack on the band of the pastern.

Branchial clefts. See under Branchial.

Synonyms: Crack; crevice; fissure; chink; cranny.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

Advertisement