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cleave

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To cleave is to split or separate something, especially along a natural line of separation or using a sharp tool, or to stick or adhere strongly to something or someone.

(verb)

When you split a bone in half using a knife, this is an example of cleave.
When candle wax causes a candle to become firmly stuck to a table, this is an example of a situation where the candle cleaves to the table.
When you become very attached to someone, this is an example of a situation where you cleave yourself to the person.

See cleave in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb cleaved or cleft or clove, cleaved or cleft or cloven, cleaving

to divide by a blow, as with an ax; split
to pierce
to sever; disunite

Origin: ME cleven < OE cleofan; akin to Ger klieben < IE base *gleubh-, to cut, slice > Gr glyphein, carve, L glubere, to peel

intransitive verb

to split; separate; fall apart
to make one's way by or as by cutting

Related Forms:

cleavable adjective

intransitive verb cleaved, cleaving

to adhere; cling (to)
to be faithful (to)

Origin: ME cleven < OE cleofian, to adhere; akin to Ger kleben < IE *gleibh- < base *glei-: see clay

See cleave in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb cleft cleft (klĕft) or cleaved or clove (klōv), cleft cleft or cleaved or clo·ven (klōˈvən), cleav·ing, cleaves

verb, transitive