cleft

cleft1
adjective
  1. split, divided, or partially divided into two
    (部分)裂成两半的
    a cleft chin.
    中间有缝的下巴。
常用词组
be (或 be caught) in a cleft stick
  1. (chiefly Brit.)be in a situation in which any action one takes will have adverse consequences
    (主英)进退两难,左右为难

cleft2
noun
  1. a fissure or split, especially one in rock or the ground
    (尤指岩石、地表的)裂缝;裂口
    ■a vertical indentation in the middle of a person's forehead or chin
    额头(或下巴)中间的竖缝
    ■a deep division between two parts of the body
    (身体)V字形凹陷
语源
  1. Middle English clift: of Germanic origin; related to Dutch kluft and German Kluft, also to cleave. The form of the word was altered in the 16th cent. by association with cleft
英语宝典
考试词汇表