What action does the word "cleave" describe?

The word "cleave" has two primary meanings, one of which is to separate or cut. In this context, it encapsulates the action of dividing or splitting something apart. This definition is often used in various contexts, such as in cooking or woodworking, where a tool might cleave through wood or a material might be cleaved into pieces.

The choice related to joining together, as well as the options that suggest assembling or confusing, do not apply to this particular interpretation of "cleave." While "cleave" can also mean to adhere or stick to something in a different context, that usage is less common and does not pertain to a straightforward action of separation, which is the focus of this question. Thus, identifying "cleave" with the action of cutting or separating aligns directly with its primary definition in relevant contexts.