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cleav·ers

(klēvərz)

pl.n. (used with a sing. or pl. verb)

1. An annual, climbing bedstraw (Galium aparine) found throughout North America and Eurasia, having hooked bristles on the stems, leaves, and fruit that cling to fur or clothing.

2. Any of various other species in the genus Galium.

[Middle English clivers, probably blend of clife, burdock (from Old English clīfe) and clivres, claws (from Old English clifras, pl. of clifer).]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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