Riven
/ˈrɪvən/noun
Torn apart or split deeply; the past participle of rive.
Did you know?Riven comes from the same ancient root as words for tearing and splitting, and its older life in English carried the sense of violent separation rather than a gentle break.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*rei-
“to split, tear, or cut”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*rībaną
“to tear, rip, or split”
Old English
OE
rīfan
“to tear apart, split, or sever”
Middle English
ME
riven
“torn, split, or rent apart”
Modern English
English
riven
“torn or split deeply”