n. [ F. clef key, a key in music, fr. L. clavis key. See Clavicle. ] (Mus.) A character used in musical notation to determine the position and pitch of the scale as represented on the staff. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ The clefs are three in number, called the C, F, and G clefs, and are probably corruptions or modifications of these letters. They indicate that the letters of absolute pitch belonging to the lines upon which they are placed, are respectively C, F, and G. The F or bass clef, and the G or treble clef, are fixed in their positions upon the staff. The C clef may have three positions. It may be placed upon the first or lower line of the staff, in which case it is called soprano clef, upon the third line, in which case it called alto clef, or upon the fourth line, in which case tenor clef. It rarely or never is placed upon the second line, except in ancient music. See other forms of C clef under C, 2. [ 1913 Webster ]

Alto clef,
Bass clef. See under Alto, Bass. [ 1913 Webster ]

imp. & p. p. from Cleave. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. Divided; split; partly divided or split. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Bot.) Incised nearly to the midrib; as, a cleft leaf. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ OE. clift; cf. Sw. klyft cave, den, Icel. kluft cleft, Dan. klöft, G. kluft. See Cleave to split and cf. 2d Clift, 1st Clough. ] 1. A space or opening made by splitting; a crack; a crevice; as, the cleft of a rock. Is. ii. 21. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A piece made by splitting; as, a cleft of wood. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Far.) A disease in horses; a crack on the band of the pastern. [ 1913 Webster ]

Branchial clefts. See under Branchial.

Syn. -- Crack; crevice; fissure; chink; cranny. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Having a cloven foot. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. t. To ingraft by cleaving the stock and inserting a scion. Mortimer. [ 1913 Webster ]