clave
1 of 2past tense of cleave
clave
2 of 2noun
ˈklä-(ˌ)vā 
ˈklāv
ˈklāv : one of a pair of cylindrical hardwood sticks that are used as a percussion instrument
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
John Adamian, courant.com, 14 Aug. 2019 The beat has a hint of Caribbean clave, while the chords move from minor to major, embracing temporary satisfaction. New York Times, 16 Feb. 2018 Just then, the DJ introduces a tango record, and the clave finally catches its breath. Adam Hurly, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Jan. 2018 Performing live in the Spotify studios, the bassist Jahmal Nichols keeps this quintet steadily bobbing with a simple clave pattern. New York Times, 16 Feb. 2018 The entrancing expedition of an album opens with a track highlighted by a hypnotizing clave from Klik & Frik, the cumbia-tripping duo Frikstailers’ side project. Judy Cantor-navas, Billboard, 23 June 2017 The musician and educator Jadele McPherson led a crowd of about 50 through a basic lesson in Afro-Cuban clave rhythms. Giovanni Russonello, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2017 See More
Noun
Cimafunk’s sound is thoroughly Caribbean, with strong clave timeline and hand-clap patterns chopping up the music, which also has elements of futuristic soul and hip-hop. John Adamian, courant.com, 14 Aug. 2019 The beat has a hint of Caribbean clave, while the chords move from minor to major, embracing temporary satisfaction. New York Times, 16 Feb. 2018 Just then, the DJ introduces a tango record, and the clave finally catches its breath. Adam Hurly, Condé Nast Traveler, 3 Jan. 2018 Performing live in the Spotify studios, the bassist Jahmal Nichols keeps this quintet steadily bobbing with a simple clave pattern. New York Times, 16 Feb. 2018 The entrancing expedition of an album opens with a track highlighted by a hypnotizing clave from Klik & Frik, the cumbia-tripping duo Frikstailers’ side project. Judy Cantor-navas, Billboard, 23 June 2017 The musician and educator Jadele McPherson led a crowd of about 50 through a basic lesson in Afro-Cuban clave rhythms. Giovanni Russonello, New York Times, 25 Apr. 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Noun
American Spanish, from Spanish, keystone, clef, from Latin clavis
First Known Use
Noun
1928, in the meaning defined above
- fingered citron
- fingered kelp
- fingered lemon
- fingered tremolo
- fingerer
- fingerers
- fingerfish
- fingerflower
- fingerfloweres
- fingerflowers
- fingerguards
- fingerhold
- fingerholds
- fingerholes
- fingering
- fingerings
- fingerless
- fingerlike
- fingerling
- fingerling potato
- fingerlings
- fingermarks
- fingernail
- fingernail clam
- fingernail shell