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riven

 - 4 dictionary results

riv⋅en

[riv-uhn]
–verb
1. a pp. of rive.
–adjective
2. rent or split apart.
3. split radially, as a log.

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.
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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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Word Origin & History

riven 
"split, cloven, rent," 1307, past participle of rive "to tear, rend" (c.1275), from O.N. rifa "to tear apart," from P.Gmc. *rifanan (see riparian)
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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