Rive (?), v. t. [imp. Rived (?); p. p. Rived or Riven (); p. pr. & vb. n. Riving.] [Icel. rifa, akin to Sw. rifva to pull asunder, burst, tear, Dan. rive to rake, pluck, tear. Cf. Reef of land, Rifle a gun, Rift, Rivel.]
To rend asunder by force; to split; to cleave; as, to rive timber for rails or shingles.
I shall ryve him through the sides twain.
Chaucer.
The scolding winds have rived the knotty oaks.
Shak.
Brutus hath rived my heart.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.
Rive, v. i.
To be split or rent asunder.
Freestone rives, splits, and breaks in any direction.
Woodward.
© Webster 1913.
Rive, n.
A place torn; a rent; a rift.
[Prov. Eng.]
© Webster 1913.