verb
cleave
To stay firmly attached to someone or something.
She cleaves to the principles that guided her early life.
Etymology
Old English clifian meant to adhere or stick. This sense preserves firm attachment, extending physical sticking to loyalty toward a person, belief, or course of action.
More examples
- The frightened child cleaved to his mother's side.
- They cleave to their traditions despite outside pressure.
- He remained loyal, cleaving to his old friends through the dispute.
Forms
cleave · cleaves · cleaved · cleaving
Similar words
- cling
- The common equivalent, while cleave to is more literary or formal.