Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Cleving, Cleaving, n. [f. Cleve v.¹ Also in later dial.] The parting of the limbs; the cleft of the body. c1540 Lynd. Syde Taillis 81.
Betwene thair cleving and thair kneis 1581 Treas. Acc. MS. 97² b.
Ane pair of ryding sockis according to the Frensche fashioun to cover his hienes thie to the cleving 1632 Lithgow Trav. (1682) 150.
They bind a strong rope about his shoulders and cleavings