Rive, v. t. [imp. Rived; p. p. Rived or Riven (; p. pr. & vb. n. Riving.]
Etymology: [Icel. rifa, 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.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
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.]