clave - noun 1. a cylindrical hardwood stick used in a pair as a percussion instrument 2. a syncopated two-bar musical pattern - verb [archaic] a past tense of cleave (N.B. cleave 1 is 1. to part or divide by force; to split or rive; to cut 2. to part or open naturally; to divide 3. to make or accomplish by or as if by cutting 4. to pierce, penetrate or pass through something, such as water or air