cleofan

Etymology

From Proto-Germanic *kleubaną, from Proto-Indo-European *glewbʰ- (“cut, carve”). Germanic cognates include Old Saxon kliovan, Middle Dutch clieven (Dutch klieven), Old High German klioban, Old Norse kljúfa.The Indo-European root is also the source of Ancient Greek γλύφω (glúphō, “carve”), Latin glūbō (“strip the bark off a tree”), Russian глубокий (glubokij, “deep”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈkleːofɑn/, [ˈkleːovɑn]

Verb

clēofan

1. to cleave, to split

   Bordweall clufon aforan Eadweardes. Edward’s sons clove the shield-wall. (Anglo-Saxon Chronicles)