Emily Dickinson Lexicon

cleave (cloven, -s), v. [OE cliofan < Gk. gluf, to cut with a knife, carve.] (webplay: adhere).

1. Split; slice; disjoin.
2. Drop; fall away; separate from something.
3. Phrase. “cleave away” leave; move; depart suddenly; [fig.] finish; fade; transform into the autumn season.