Rive (?), v. t. [imp.
Rived (?); p. p. Rived or Riven
(?); p. pr. & vb. n. Riving.] [Icel.
rīfa, akin to Sw. rifva to pull asunder, burst,
tear, Dan. rive to rake, pluck, tear. Cf. Reef of land,
Rifle a gun, Rift, Rivel.] To rend asunder
by force; to split; to cleave; as, to rive timber for rails or
shingles.
I shall ryve him through the sides
twain.
Chaucer.
The scolding winds have rived the knotty
oaks.
Shak.
Brutus hath rived my heart.
Shak.Rive, v. i. To be split or rent
asunder.
Freestone rives, splits, and breaks in any
direction.
Woodward.Rive, n. A place torn; a rent; a
rift. [Prov. Eng.]