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riven

 - 4 dictionary results

riv⋅en

  [riv-uhn]
Use riven in a Sentence
–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.
Cite This Source Link To riven
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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