cleavage

== English == === Etymology === From cleave + -age. === Pronunciation === (weak vowel distinction) IPA(key): /ˈkliːvɪd͡ʒ/, [ˈkʰlɪi̯vɪd͡ʒ] (weak vowel merger) IPA(key): /ˈkliːvəd͡ʒ/, [ˈkʰlɪi̯vəd͡ʒ] Hyphenation: cleav‧age === Noun === cleavage (countable and uncountable, plural cleavages) The act of cleaving or the state of being cleft. [from 19th c.] The hollow or separation between a woman's breasts, especially as revealed by a low neckline. [from 20th c.] Synonym: intermammary sulcus (anatomy) Holonym: décolletage Coordinate terms: reverse cleavage, underboob; nip slip (by extension) Any similar separation between two body parts, such as the buttocks or toes. (biology) The repeated division of a cell into daughter cells after mitosis. [from 19th c.] (chemistry) The splitting of a large molecule into smaller ones. (mineralogy) The tendency of a crystal to split along specific planes; schistosity. [from 19th c.] (politics) The division of voters into voting blocs. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Related terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ====