rive

[rahyv]

verb (used with object)

rived, rived, riven, riving. 

1. to tear or rend apart.

   to rive meat from a bone.

2. to separate by striking; split; cleave.

3. to rend, harrow, or distress (the feelings, heart, etc.).

4. to split (wood) radially from a log.

verb (used without object)

rived, rived, riven, riving. 

1. to become rent or split apart.

   stones that rive easily.

rive

/ raɪv /

verb

1. to split asunder

   a tree riven by lightning

2. to tear apart

   riven to shreds

3. archaic,  to break (the heart) or (of the heart) to be broken

Other Word Forms

• unrived adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rive¹

1225–75; Middle English riven < Old Norse rīfa to tear, split. See rift

Word History and Origins

Origin of rive¹

C13: from Old Norse rīfa ; related to Old Frisian rīva

Example Sentences

Achieving this in a cultural environment as riven as ours would seem to be more difficult, yet none of the humor feels strained.

From Salon

Years after being found dead in a Manhattan prison cell — killed by his own hand, according to authorities — Epstein appears to have done the near-impossible in this deeply riven nation.

From Los Angeles Times

Students often self-segregated, and the school’s academic sheen was riven by racial division.

From Los Angeles Times

Lord Adebowale said he would not call the NHS racist, but instead believed it was riven with inequalities, particularly racial inequalities.

From BBC

After a school year riven by the Palisades fire, which badly damaged their high school, students said they were honored to relocate their graduation to the Hollywood Bowl.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• disintegrate 
• divide 
• fracture 
• rend 
• shatter 
• splinter