clove¹ (klōv)
n.

1. An evergreen tree (Syzygium aromaticum) native to the Moluccas and widely cultivated in warm regions for its aromatic dried flower buds.
2. A flower bud of this plant, used whole or ground as a spice. Often used in the plural.

[Middle English, from Old French clou (de girofle), nail (of the clove tree), from Latin clāvus, nail.]

clove² (klōv)
n.
One of the small sections of a separable bulb, as that of garlic.

[Middle English, from Old English clufu.]

clove³ (klōv)
v.

1. A past tense of cleave¹.
2. Archaic. A past participle of cleave¹.

clove⁴ (klōv)
v. Archaic
A past tense of cleave².

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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