cleft
pronunciation
How to pronounce cleft in British English:
UK [kleft]
How to pronounce cleft in American English:
US [kleft]
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- Noun:
- a split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin)
- a long narrow opening
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- Adjective:
- used of hooves
- having one or more incisions reaching nearly to the midrib
Word Origin
- cleft (n.)
- 1570s, alteration (by influence of cleft, new weak past participle of cleave (v.1)), of Middle English clift (early 14c.), from Old English geclyft (adj.) "split, cloven," from Proto-Germanic *kluftis (cognates: Old High German and German kluft, Danish kløft "cleft"), from PIE *gleubh- (see glyph). In Middle English anatomy, it meant "the parting of the thighs" (early 14c.).
- cleft (adj.)
- late 14c., past participle adjective from cleave (v.1)). Cleft palate attested from 1828.
Example
- 1. The same cleft chin , bright eyes , and swarthy skin .
- 2. Cleft palate and craniofacial anomalies : effects on speech and .
- 3. Is the shanghai cleft lip renovation hospital family best ?
- 4. Divided or cleft in a pinnate fashion .
- 5. Communication problems associated with cleft palate .