cleaver

Definition

A squarish, heavy knife used by butchers for hacking through bones, etc.

Etymology

From Middle English clevere, equivalent to cleave + -er.

Example Sentences

• "When he came to Nottingham, he entered that part of the market where butchers stood, and took up his inn in the best place he could find. Next, he opened his stall and spread his meat upon the bench, then, taking his cleaver and steel and clattering them together, he trolled aloud in merry tones:..."
• "Concurrently with Flay's visualization of the cleaver falling—the cleaver fell."
• "Conte has broken the mould further with the suggestion he might escape the Abramovich cleaver, becoming the first of his line to leave by his own volition."

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