Riving

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Rive \Rive\, v. t. [imp. {Rived}; p. p. {Rived} or {Riven}; p.
     pr. & vb. n. {Riving}.] [Icel. r[imac]fa, akin to Sw. rifva
     to pull asunder, burst, tear, Dan. rive to rake, pluck, tear.
     Cf. {Reef} of land, {Rifle} a gun, {Rift}, {Rivel}.]
     To rend asunder by force; to split; to cleave; as, to rive
     timber for rails or shingles.


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           I shall ryve him through the sides twain. --Chaucer.
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           The scolding winds have rived the knotty oaks. --Shak.
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           Brutus hath rived my heart.              --Shak.
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