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Cleft: meaning, definitions and examples

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cleft

 

[kleft ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Noun

anatomy

A fissure or division, especially a deep split in the body tissue.

Synonyms

crevice, fissure, gap.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cleft

A cleft is used to describe a natural division or split in something, often in rock or the ground. It suggests a more pronounced separation.

  • A small stream flowed through the cleft in the rock.
  • She spotted a cleft in the hillside where they could set up camp.
fissure

A fissure indicates a long, narrow opening or line of breakage made by cracking or splitting, especially in rock or earth. It can often be used in scientific or geological contexts.

  • The earthquake caused a fissure in the baking earth.
  • They examined the fissure in the glacier.
crevice

A crevice generally refers to a narrow crack or opening, often in rock or another hard surface. It is usually smaller and less significant than a cleft.

  • The lizard hid in a crevice in the wall.
  • Water trickled into the crevice during the rainstorm.
gap

A gap generally implies a break or opening between two objects or parts. It can be used more broadly to describe spaces in various contexts, such as physical spaces or abstract concepts like time or knowledge.

  • There's a gap between the couch and the wall.
  • She noticed a gap in his explanation.

Examples of usage

  • The cleft in the rock was so deep that it seemed to go on forever.
  • She had a cleft chin, just like her father.
  • The surgeon repaired the cleft palate in the newborn baby.
  • The cleft in the tree trunk was caused by a lightning strike.
  • The cleft in the ground revealed a hidden cave entrance.
Context #2 | Verb

grammar

To divide a sentence into two parts, typically using 'it is' or 'it was'.

Synonyms

divide, separate, split.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
cleft

Use 'cleft' when describing something that is naturally divided or has a noticeable crack, especially in a physical or geographical context.

  • The mountain has a cleft near the peak where a river flows through.
  • She has a cleft in her chin, which makes her look unique.
split

Use 'split' when referring to breaking something into parts, often forcibly or suddenly. It can also be used for divisions in time, attention, or effort.

  • She split the log in half with a single swing of the axe.
  • They decided to split the bill evenly among the five of them.
  • The team's focus is split between multiple important projects.
divide

Use 'divide' to talk about separating something into parts or sections, especially when discussing groups, portions, or mathematical concepts. It can also refer to causing disagreement or conflict.

  • The project will divide the team into smaller working groups.
  • They decided to divide the cake into eight equal slices.
  • This issue could divide the community if we don't handle it carefully.
separate

Use 'separate' for a general context of making distinctions between things, or putting some distance between them. It often implies moving apart physically or conceptually.

  • We need to separate the recyclables from the regular trash.
  • The teacher separated the students into two groups for the activity.
  • He separated himself from the noisy crowd to think more clearly.

Examples of usage

  • The sentence 'It was his birthday that he got the new bike' can be cleft into 'It was his birthday that he got the new bike.'
  • She cleft the complex sentence to make it easier to understand.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Old English 'cleofan', meaning 'to split'.
  • In English, it has been used since the 12th century, often associated with natural formations or physical divides.
  • The root word can also be found in other Germanic languages, reflecting a common linguistic heritage.

Anatomy

  • A cleft can refer to body features, such as a cleft lip or cleft palate, which are congenital conditions that occur when a baby’s lip or mouth do not fully form.
  • Clefts in human anatomy can affect speech and eating but can often be repaired with surgery.
  • The incidence of cleft lips and palates varies around the world and is influenced by genetic and environmental factors.

Geology

  • In geological terms, a cleft can refer to a crack or fissure in the Earth’s crust, often leading to the formation of caves or gorges.
  • Clefts in mountains and rocks can create habitats for unique flora and fauna.
  • Tectonic activity often results in clefts, which can shape landscapes over millions of years.

Pop Culture

  • The term 'cleft' appears in various movies and literature, often symbolizing division or conflict, such as in themes surrounding characters with divided identities.
  • There are musical references to 'clefts' in the names of musical groups and performances, reflecting harmony amidst division.
  • In modern art, the cleft can represent the struggle between different forces, as seen in installations exploring duality and separation.

Psychology

  • A concept of 'cleft' can be related to the psychological notion of fragmentation, where individuals may experience a split in their identities or emotions.
  • Therapeutic practices often seek to unite 'cleft' aspects of the self, fostering integration and healing.
  • The recognition of personal clefts can be vital in understanding mental health, prompting both self-awareness and emotional growth.

Translations

Translations of the word "cleft" in other languages:

🇵🇹 fenda

🇮🇳 दरार

🇩🇪 Spalte

🇮🇩 celah

🇺🇦 розкол

🇵🇱 rozszczep

🇯🇵 裂け目

🇫🇷 fente

🇪🇸 hendidura

🇹🇷 yarık

🇰🇷 갈라진 틈

🇸🇦 شق

🇨🇿 štěrbina

🇸🇰 štrbina

🇨🇳 裂缝

🇸🇮 razpoka

🇮🇸 sprunga

🇰🇿 жарық

🇬🇪 გახლეჩა

🇦🇿 yarıq

🇲🇽 hendidura

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #11,237, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.