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rive

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rive

[rahyv] verb, rived, rived or riv⋅en, riv⋅ing.
–verb (used with object)
1. to tear or rend apart: to rive meat from a bone.
2. to separate by striking; split; cleave.
3. to rend, harrow, or distress (the feelings, heart, etc.).
4. to split (wood) radially from a log.
–verb (used without object)
5. to become rent or split apart: stones that rive easily.

Origin:
1225–75; ME riven < ON rīfa to tear, split. See rift
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To rive
rive   (rīv)   
v.   rived, riv·en (rĭv'ən) also rived, riv·ing, rives

v.   tr.
  1. To rend or tear apart.

  2. To break into pieces, as by a blow; cleave or split asunder.

  3. To break or distress (the spirit, for example).

v.   intr.
To be or become split.

[Middle English riven, from Old Norse rīfa.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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