cleve
Cleve (noun) means an old word for a small room or chamber. Example: “The manuscript describes a monk retreating to his cleve to pray.”
How to use cleve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old, mostly dialect word that could mean a small room, a cottage, or a hillside/cliff depending on region.
You will meet this mostly in place names (like Cleve or Cleveland) rather than in modern speech.
Trace the full origin ↓Word forms
cleves plural
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The manuscript describes a monk retreating to his _____ to pray.
Etymology
From Old English cleofa, meaning a cleft, cave, or small chamber — ultimately from a root meaning "to split or cleave", the same root behind the word cleave.
Rhymes for cleve
See all rhymes for cleve →Frequently asked questions
What does “cleve” mean?
The word “cleve” means an old word for a small room or chamber. In plain terms, an old, mostly dialect word that could mean a small room, a cottage, or a hillside/cliff depending on region.
How do you use “cleve” in a sentence?
Here is “cleve” used in a sentence: “The manuscript describes a monk retreating to his cleve to pray.”
What part of speech is “cleve”?
“Cleve” is a noun.
Where does the word “cleve” come from?
The word “cleve” comes from Old English. From Old English cleofa, meaning a cleft, cave, or small chamber — ultimately from a root meaning "to split or cleave", the same root behind the word cleave.
How many meanings does “cleve” have?
“Cleve” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an old word for a small room or chamber.