1. A split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin)
   "He had a distinctive cleft in his chin"
    
2. A narrow planar hole in a rock or material, usually with flattish sides
   "Water seeped through the cleft in the rock face";
   - crack, crevice, fissure, scissure

1. Split or divided
   "a cleft stick"; "he had a cleft chin and strong jaw"; "the infant was born with a double harelip and cleft palate"
    
2. Having one or more indentations reaching nearly to the midrib
   "The cleft leaves of the plant were deeply cut, almost to the central vein";
   - dissected

1. Separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument
   "cleave the bone";
   - split, rive [archaic]
    
2. Make by cutting into
   "The water is going to cleave a channel into the rock"
    
3. Come or be in close contact with; stick or hold together and resist separation
   "The dress cleaves to her body";
   - cling, adhere, stick, cohere

Derived forms: clefts

See also: compound, divided

Type of: adjoin, contact, create, gap, indentation, indenture, make, meet, opening, tear, touch

Encyclopedia: Cleft, the Boy Chin Wonder