French Conversation · Level 102
60 words
French word
cliver
Pronunciation
IPA/klive/
Meaning
- verbsplit
Example
Le groupe se clive en deux.
The group splits into two.
More examples
Lors des élections, la société se clive souvent en deux camps.
During elections, society often splits into two camps.
Core concept
One body opens along a decisive seam into two distinct camps.
Common phrases
se cliver en deux
split into two
se cliver en deux camps
split into two camps
Similar words
diviser: To divide an object or group into several sections or groups.
séparer: To create a boundary between things or people and keep them apart.
Definition in French
Se diviser nettement en deux parties opposées, surtout pour des groupes, des opinions ou des structures sociales.
Word origin
The verb cliver is a French formation based on clivage and the verb-forming ending -er; clivage was borrowed from English cleavage.
Usage tips
- Cliver can take a direct object, while se cliver describes a group or structure splitting into opposing parts.