All 6 Uses

cleave
in
The Julian Chapter: A Wonder Story
(Edited)

She said it was like a cleft lip or something.
p. 13.1

cleft lip = an opening or split in the upper lip (a medical condition at birth)
This isn't just a cleft palate.
p. 22.6

cleft palate = an opening or split in the roof of the mouth (a medical condition at birth)
"No one ever said it was a cleft palate," I said to her.
p. 22.6
What he said was 'facial issues,' and you just assumed that he meant cleft palate.
p. 22.7
But he never actually said 'cleft palate.'
p. 22.8
"I could swear he said the boy had a cleft palate," she answered, "but this is so much worse than that."
p. 22.8 *

cleft palate = an opening or split in the roof of the mouth

Definitions:

(1) (cleave as in: cleave through)
to split or cut through something

Ironically, this word can mean to split in two or to hold together.

Note that you may see cleaved, cleft, clove, or cloven as the past tense of this sense of cleave.
(2) (cleave as in: cleave to)
to hold firmly to something -- such as an object, a person or idea

Ironically, this word can mean to split in two or to hold together.

Note that you may see cleaved, clove, or clave as the past tense of this sense of cleave.
(3) (meaning too rare to warrant focus)
a proper noun or other word too rare to warrant focus