cleavage

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Law Academic · Formal

n. a sharp division or disagreement between different groups of people.

n. a sharp division or split between groups, particularly regarding voting patterns, social classes, or political ideologies.

“There is a clear cleavage between urban and rural voters in this election.”

“The political scientist argued that the primary cleavage in the country was no longer based on class but on educational attainment.”

C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Science Technical

n. the way a cell splits into smaller cells after it has been fertilized.

n. the series of rapid mitotic cell divisions that transform a zygote into a multicellular embryo.

“The scientist watched the early stages of cell cleavage under the microscope.”

“During the initial stages of embryonic development, cleavage occurs without any significant increase in the total volume of the cytoplasm.”

C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Science Technical

n. the way a rock or crystal naturally breaks along flat surfaces.

n. the tendency of a mineral or crystal to break along definite planes of structural weakness.

“Diamonds have perfect cleavage, which means they can be split easily in certain directions.”

“The geologist identified the specimen by observing its perfect cubic cleavage and distinctive metallic lustre.”