The word “cleave” comes from two Anglo-Saxon words that mean:
46% said a) to split
12% said b) to adhere
42% said c) both a) and b)
0% d) none of the above
The word cleave is actually derived from two Anglo-Saxon words that are opposite in meaning: cleofan, which means “to split”; and clifian, which means “to adhere.” So…what does it mean? It means both! The answer is c.