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Cleaver Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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cleaver

[ˈkliːvər ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

kitchen utensil

A cleaver is a large, heavy knife with a broad blade, used for chopping meat.

Synonyms

Butcher knife, Meat cleaver, chopper.

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Word Description / Examples
cleaver

A cleaver is a broad-bladed knife used primarily for cutting through meat and bone. It can be used in both kitchen and butchery settings.

  • The chef used a cleaver to chop through the chicken bones.
  • Every butcher has a good cleaver for cutting large pieces of meat.
Butcher knife

A butcher knife is a large, broad-bladed knife used for hacking through meat and bones in a butchery setting. It is more general than a cleaver and can be used for a variety of tasks.

  • The butcher knife is essential for preparing large cuts of meat.
  • He sharpened his butcher knife before cutting through the ribs.
chopper

A chopper is a versatile knife that can be used for both heavy-duty chopping tasks and finer cutting. It is often an informal term that can refer to any heavy knife used for chopping.

  • The chopper in the kitchen made quick work of the vegetables.
  • For breaking down large pieces of meat, a chopper is very handy.
Meat cleaver

A meat cleaver specifically refers to a large knife with a rectangular blade used for cutting through meat and bones. It is essentially the same as a cleaver but emphasizes its use with meat.

  • She used a meat cleaver to cut through the thick pork shoulder.
  • The meat cleaver is perfect for separating ribs from the spine.

Examples of usage

  • The chef used a cleaver to chop the chicken into pieces.
  • She sharpened the cleaver before starting to butcher the pig.
  • I always reach for the cleaver when I need to cut through bones.
  • The cleaver is an essential tool in any butcher's kitchen.
  • Be careful with the cleaver, it's very sharp.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Culinary Use

  • Chefs prefer cleavers for their weight, which helps make clean cuts with less effort.
  • They can be used for various tasks including chopping vegetables, crushing garlic, and, of course, cutting through bones.

Cultural Significance

  • In many cultures, cleavers symbolize strength and skill in cooking, often featured in culinary films.
  • The cleaver is a prominent tool in Chinese cuisine, representing the importance of preparation in traditional dishes.

Pop Culture

  • Cleavers have appeared in horror films as iconic weapons, often associated with characters like butchers.
  • The term 'cleaver' is also used metaphorically in phrases like 'cleaver of the community' to describe someone who splits groups of people, often negatively.

Safety and Design

  • Modern cleavers often have a wide blade that can help protect the user's hand while cutting.
  • Special types of cleavers, like the Chinese 'chopper', have a flat surface that is useful for crushing ingredients.

Origin of 'cleaver'

Main points about word origin

  • The word comes from the Old English 'cleofan', meaning 'to split' or 'to divide'.
  • In Middle English, it evolved to 'clever', emphasizing the cutting capability of the tool.

The word 'cleaver' originated from the Old English word 'cleofor', which means a cutting tool. Cleavers have been used for centuries by butchers and chefs to cut through tough meats and bones.

See also: cleave, cleaving.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #31,828 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.