Whether or not it is one of the most difficult languages to learn, English is certainly complicated, even for native speakers. Case in point:  Today’s Visual Thesaurus Word of the Day, “cleave.” Your first thought may be that this word has to do with splitting things apart, as in “cleaver,” or as in split-toed, or “cloven,” hooves. When I hear the word “cleave,” I always think of the Bible, which is forever noting that wives should “cleave” to their husbands, or join with them. Yes, both are right:  to cleave is to split… or to join.

Before you revolt against the notion that the same word can have two opposite meanings, now would be a good time to recall what F. Scott Fitzgerald said: “The test of a first-rate intelligence is the ability to hold two opposed ideas in mind at the same time and still retain the ability to function.“

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