1. past tense of cleave (to split or divide)
Usage: archaic

1. a pair of wooden sticks used as a percussion instrument
Usage: music

Examples

• The axe clave the log in two.
• He clave to his principles despite pressure.
• The musician played the claves with perfect timing.
• The salsa band featured claves in their rhythm section.
• She learned to play claves in music class.
• The wood clave easily along the grain.
• Claves provide the basic rhythm in many Latin songs.