Cleft (?), imp. & p. p.
from Cleave.
© Webster 1913.
Cleft, a.
1.
Divided; split; partly divided or split.
2. Bot.
Incised nearly to the midrob; as, a cleft leaf.
© Webster 1913.
Cleft, n. [OE. clift; cf. Sw. klyft cave, den, Icel. kluft cleft, Dan. kloft, 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. Far.
A disease in horses; a crack on the band of the pastern.
Branchial clefts. See under Branchial.
Syn. -- Crack; crevice; fissure; chink; cranny.
© Webster 1913.