cleavers

[ klee-verz ]

noun

, plural cleav·ers.

1. a North American plant, Galium aparine, of the madder family, having short, hooked bristles on the stems and leaves and bearing very small white flowers.
2. any of certain related species.

cleavers

/ ˈkliːvəz /

noun

1. functioning as singular a Eurasian rubiaceous plant, Galium aparine, having small white flowers and prickly stems and fruits Also calledgoosegrasshairifsticky willie

Word History and Origins

Origin of cleavers¹

before 1000; Middle English clivre, Old English clife burdock ( -re probably by association with Middle English clivres (plural) claws, or with the agent noun from cleven to cleave ¹, whence the modern spelling)

Word History and Origins

Origin of cleavers¹

Old English clīfe; related to clīfan to cleave ²

Example Sentences

A local butcher had become a Hartlepool hero for staying in his shop as the mob attempted to smash his windows, protecting his meat knives and cleavers from falling into the wrong hands.

From BBC

Her mother, Ann, gave her honeysuckle flowers to suck on hot days and often added pineapple weed to lemonade or cleavers and violets to tea.

From Washington Post

Like sitcom employees, the Clyde’s cooks complain about how busy they are, and they look busy, smacking cleavers through heads of lettuce, slapping turkey slices onto waxed paper, and lavishly squeezing sauces all over them.

From Los Angeles Times

Kinmen is now known for the production of meat cleavers carved out of strewn artillery shells.

From Washington Post

Brandishing bloodstained cleavers, two men warn Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about inflaming religious tensions in India and vow to avenge acts of blasphemy.

From Washington Post