First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
rive
verb \ˈrīv\
: to divide or split (something) especially in a forceful or violent way
rived \ˈrīvd\ riv·en \ˈri-vən\ also rivedriv·ing \ˈrī-viŋ\
Full Definition of RIVE
transitive verb
1
a : to wrench open or tear apart or to pieces : rend b : to split with force or violence
2
a : to divide into pieces <nations riven by civil war> b : fracture
intransitive verb
: to become split : crack
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Origin of RIVE
Middle English, from Old Norse rīfa; akin to Greek ereipein to tear down
Synonym Discussion of RIVE
tear, rip, rend, split, cleave, rive mean to separate forcibly. tear implies pulling apart by force and leaving jagged edges <tear up the letter>. rip implies a pulling apart in one rapid uninterrupted motion often along a line or joint <ripped the shirt on a nail>. rend implies very violent or ruthless severing or sundering <an angry mob rent the prisoner's clothes>. split implies a cutting or breaking apart in a continuous, straight, and usually lengthwise direction or in the direction of grain or layers <split logs for firewood>. cleave implies very forceful splitting or cutting with a blow <a bolt of lightning cleaved the giant oak>. rive occurs most often in figurative use <a political party riven by conflict>.
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