Cleaver
/ˈkliː.vər/noun
A tool with a heavy broad blade used for chopping meat or vegetables.
Did you know?The word 'cleaver' is linked to the Old English term for 'to split', evoking ancient rituals of meat preparation that were often surrounded by superstition.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
Old English
cleofor
“A tool used for splitting or cutting.”
Middle English
Middle English
clevere
“A variant referring to a heavy knife or tool for cutting.”
14th Century
Middle English
clever
“To split or sever with a sharp edge.”
Modern English
English
cleaver
“A large knife used primarily for chopping meat, symbolizing both utility and the act of severance.”