From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Cloven \Clo"ven\ (kl[=o]"v'n), p. p. & a.
from {Cleave}, v. t.
[1913 Webster]
{To show the cloven foot} or {To show the cloven hoof}, to
reveal a devilish character, or betray an evil purpose,
notwithstanding disguises, -- Satan being represented
dramatically and symbolically as having cloven hoofs.
[1913 Webster] Cloven-footed
From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Cleave \Cleave\ (kl[=e]v), v. t. [imp. {Cleft} (kl[e^]ft),
{Clave} (kl[=a]v, Obs.), {Clove} (kl[=o]v, Obsolescent); p.
p. {Cleft}, {Cleaved} (kl[=e]vd) or {Cloven} (kl[=o]"v'n); p.
pr. & vb. n. {Cleaving}.] [OE. cleoven, cleven, AS.
cle['o]fan; akin to OS. klioban, D. klooven, G. klieben,
Icel. klj[=u]fa, Sw. klyfva, Dan. kl["o]ve and prob. to Gr.
gly`fein to carve, L. glubere to peel. Cf. {Cleft}.]
1. To part or divide by force; to split or rive; to cut.
[1913 Webster]
O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. To part or open naturally; to divide.
[1913 Webster]
Every beast that parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the
cleft into two claws. --Deut. xiv.
6.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
cloven
adj 1: (used of hooves) split, divided; "bisulcate hoof" [syn:
{cloven}, {bisulcate}]
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