Literary notes about Cleft (AI summary)
The word cleft is deployed in literature to convey both a physical division and a metaphorical split. In descriptions of nature and architecture, it vividly portrays openings or fractures, as seen when rugged stones or rocks are described as having a cleft ([1], [2], [3], [4]). In heroic narratives and battle scenes, the term functions dynamically, emphasizing a forceful separation—swords cleaving enemies or parts of objects being split in twain ([5], [6], [7], [8]). It also undertakes a symbolic role in expressing inner emotional breaks or turmoil, such as a heart being “cleft” by despair or love ([9], [10], [11]). Even in botanical contexts, cleft is used with precise detail to describe the divided structure of leaves and floral parts ([12], [13], [14]).
- It was most probable that an overfall existed somewhere, and doubtless through a cleft in the granite.
— from The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne - When he had run thus for a long time, he too came to the cleft in the rock.
— from The Red Fairy Book - Pencroft and Ayrton, each hidden in a narrow cleft of the rock, saw them coming directly towards them, and waited till they were within range.
— from The Mysterious Island by Jules Verne - And there was a cleft in the rock, and a serpent was within the cleft.
— from The Mabinogion - Fawcett, of the 100th regiment, who cleft the creature's head open with his sword.
— from Toronto of Old by Henry Scadding - Then as some monster of the sea Cleaves swift-advancing billows, he Charged with impetuous onset through The foe, and cleft the host in two.
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki - He raised his hand quickly again and gave him another blow on the top of the trunk so that he cleft him in twain down to the ground.
— from The Ancient Irish Epic Tale Táin Bó Cúalnge - Six times he shot: six heads were cleft; Six giants dead on earth were left.
— from The Rámáyan of Válmíki, translated into English verse by Valmiki - dear nurse, my heart is cleft, Mortally sick I am indeed.
— from Eugene Oneguine [Onegin] by Aleksandr Sergeevich Pushkin - O Hamlet, thou hast cleft my heart in twain. HAMLET.
— from Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by William Shakespeare - I betray?—I, whose poor heart is cleft By fondest hopes that cruel Love has left?"
— from The Fables of La Fontaine by Jean de La Fontaine - Calyx long, cleft almost to the base in 5 lineal parts thickly set with small glands, exuding a sticky gum.
— from The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by T. H. Pardo de Tavera - Leaves purplish, bunched, cleft at the base, sometimes transversely ovate, sometimes oval, notched, glabrous.
— from The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by T. H. Pardo de Tavera - Calyx inferior, bell-shaped, very large when ripe, 5-cleft.
— from The Medicinal Plants of the Philippines by T. H. Pardo de Tavera
