rive


rive

verb \ˈrīv\
rived\ˈrīvd\riv·en\ˈri-vən\ also rivedriv·ing\ˈrī-viŋ\

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

Examples of RIVE

  1. <road pavement that had been riven by the annual freeze-and-thaw cycle>
  2. <the bitter disappointment threatened to rive my heart in two>

Origin of RIVE

Middle English, from Old Norse rīfa; akin to Greek ereipein to tear down
First Known Use: 14th century

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