v. Obs. [ME., f. TO-2 + RIVE v.1]
1. trans. To rive or tear asunder; to split open, cleave. Also fig.
c. 1300. Havelok, 1953. Hwo haues the thus ille maked, Thus to-riuen, and al mad naked?
13[?]. K. Alis., 6216. (Bodl. MS.). Schippes … Ful ycharged of her clay. Þat men clepeþ Butumay, Þat water non ne may to Ryue Ne irne ne steel ne metal to dryue.
13[?]. E. E. Allit. P., A. 1196. Þer-for my ioye watz sone to-riuen. Ibid., C. 379. His ryche robe he to rof of his rigge naked.
13[?]. Sir Beues (A.), 2159. Þat hors … His rakenteis he al te-rof.
c. 1400. Destr. Troy, 1234. The king … the rod all-to roofe right to his honde.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, I. xxviii. 75. The shyp … was al to ryuen.
2. intr. To burst asunder; to split, cleave, splinter, shiver.
c. 1275. Lay., 7844. Mani sip al to-rof.
c. 1330. R. Brunne, Chron. (1810), 170. Þat schip salle alle toryue.
1390. Gower, Conf., III. 296. The mast tobrak, the Seil torof.
c. 1440. York Myst., xiii. 153. Was neuer wight sa wa, for ruthe I all to ryff.
c. 1470. Henry, Wallace, II. 52. The tre to raiff & fruschit euiredeille.
1470–85. Malory, Arthur, VIII. xxxviii. 330. A wynde drofe hem … vpon this yle of seruage … and there the Barget all to rofe.
