Definition

1. Verb (transitive):

   • To split or tear something apart violently, often using force or a tool.
   • To divide or cleave something, especially wood or rock, along its grain or natural line of separation.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To be split or torn apart violently.

Usage

• As a transitive verb, "rive" typically takes a direct object (the thing being split). It often implies a forceful, dramatic, or complete separation.
• As an intransitive verb, it describes the state or action of something splitting apart on its own.
• The past participle "riven" is commonly used as an adjective meaning deeply divided or torn.

Examples

• Transitive Verb:
  • The lightning rived the ancient oak tree.
  • With a mighty blow, he rived the log in two.
• Intransitive Verb:
  • The granite cliff rived during the earthquake.
• Past Participle (Adjectival Use):
  • The country was riven by civil war.
  • She felt a heart riven with sorrow.

Advanced Usage

• "To be riven by/with": This is a common figurative construction describing a state of being deeply divided or afflicted by something abstract, such as conflict, grief, or discord.
  • The political party was riven by internal strife.
  • A conscience riven with guilt.

Variants and Related Words

• Riven (adj): The most common past participle form, frequently used adjectivally to mean split, torn, or divided.
• Rived (v): A less common simple past and past participle form.

Synonyms

• Cleave: To split, especially along a natural grain or plane.
• Rend: To tear something into pieces violently or forcefully.
• Split: To break or cause to break forcibly into parts.
• Tear: To pull apart or into pieces by force.

Phrasal Verbs

(This word does not commonly form phrasal verbs.)

Related Idioms

(This word is not commonly used in fixed idioms, but its adjectival form "riven" is standard in descriptive phrases like those in the "Advanced Usage" section.)

Verb

1. separate or cut with a tool, such as a sharp instrument
   • cleave the bone
2. tear or be torn violently
   • The curtain ripped from top to bottom
   • pull the cooked chicken into strips