[f. CLEAVE v.2 + -ING2.]
† 1. As adj. Adhesive; clinging; clammy. Obs.
c. 1350. Hampole, in Archaeologia., XIX. 322. His fete schul wexe colde, his womb clevyng.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 118. The nature of a passyon of ire or fylthy pleasure of the body is so viscose & cleuynge.
1646. Sir T. Browne, Pseud. Ep., II. v. 85. Fat and pitch being cleaving bodies.
2. That cleaves, adheres or clings.
1641. Milton, Ch. Discip., II. (1851), 55. A cleaving curse be his inheritance to all generations.
1691–8. Norris, Pract. Disc. (1711), III. 164. So to … fasten myself upon him by the most Cleaving Love.
1846. Trench, Mirac., x. (1862), 214. The cleaving taint which is theirs from birth.
† b. fig. Abiding, lasting, persistent.
1340. Ayenb., 54. Þise sceles byeþ zuo cleuiinde þet þe wyseste and þe holyiste man byeþ oþerhuyl becaȝt. Ibid., 107. Þe memorie is zuo cleuiynde ine him.
