clivar
“clivar” means “to cleave” in Spanish (splitting crystals or biological molecules).
to cleaveAlso: to split
📝 In Action
El tallador de gemas debe clivar el diamante con precisión extrema.
B2The gem cutter must cleave the diamond with extreme precision.
Esta enzima se encarga de clivar las proteínas en pedazos más pequeños.
C1This enzyme is responsible for splitting the proteins into smaller pieces.
Es posible clivar ciertos minerales siguiendo sus planos naturales.
C1It is possible to cleave certain minerals following their natural planes.
Word Connections
Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Indicative
Preterite
Imperfect
Present
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: clivar
Question 1 of 3
Which person would be most likely to use the word 'clivar' in their daily work?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
Adapted from the French word 'cliver,' which originally described the act of splitting diamonds. It ultimately relates to ancient words for 'sloping' or 'leaning.'
First recorded: 19th Century (technical adoption)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use 'clivar' to talk about splitting a dessert with a friend?
Not really! In that case, use 'compartir' (to share) or 'partir' (to split/break). 'Clivar' is strictly for scientific or industrial splitting.
Is 'clivar' a common word in Spain or Latin America?
It is rare in both. It is only common in academic, scientific, or jewelry-making circles.
Is it a regular verb?
Yes, it follows the standard pattern for all -ar verbs like 'cantar' or 'hablar'.