cleavage
pronunciation
How to pronounce cleavage in British English:
UK [ˈkli:vɪdʒ]
How to pronounce cleavage in American English:
US [ˈklivɪdʒ]
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- Noun:
- the state of being split or cleft
- the breaking of a chemical bond in a molecule resulting in smaller molecules
- (embryology) the repeated division of a fertilised ovum
- the line formed by a groove between two parts (especially the separation between a woman's breasts)
- the act of cleaving or splitting
Word Origin
- cleavage (n.)
- 1816, in geology, "action of splitting (rocks or gems) along natural fissures," from cleave (v.1) + -age. General meaning "action or state of cleaving or being cleft" is from 1867. The sense of "cleft between a woman's breasts in low-cut clothing" is first recorded 1946, defined in a "Time" magazine article [Aug. 5] as the "Johnston Office trade term for the shadowed depression dividing an actress' bosom into two distinct sections;" traditionally first used in this sense by U.S. publicist Joseph I. Breen (1888-1965), head of the Production Code Administration (replaced 1945 by Eric Johnston), enforcers of Hollywood self-censorship, in reference to Jane Russell's costumes and poses in "The Outlaw."
Example
- 1. Undergoing partial cleavage . Used of a fertilized egg .
- 2. An image portraying cleavage caught my eye .
- 3. He stole a glance at her cleavage and began eating his steak .
- 4. Fracture measurements show that the mode attributed to cleavage fracture .
- 5. But the administration is also keen not to force too large a cleavage between tarp recipients and those that did not take government money : all banks will face more scrutiny .