ETYM Old Eng. clift; cf. Swed. klyft cave, den, Icel. kluft cleft, Dan. klöft, German kluft. Related to Cleave to split and cf. Clift, Clough.
A split or indentation in something (as the palate or chin).

Having one or more incisions reaching nearly to the midrib; SYN. dissected.