The word 'clave' has an archaic use. It was used as a past tense of cleave. Thus, it could mean cleaved or cleft in modern parlance. If something was claved (cleaved/ cleft), it was divided or halved. The word could also mean sliced or cut or slashed or smitten. Hewed, rived, slit or chopped are some of the other words that mean claved. This word was also used as a noun. As a noun, it has its origin in Latin and was taken from the word 'clavis'. Clāvis meant key.
It was then adapted into Spanish and in this language it was used to denote keystone. Later, it was taken into American Spanish. Clave is a cylindrical rod made of hardwood and is used as a percussion instrument. As an instrument, it is used in pairs. Even the two-bar musical pattern that is created by using 'clave' is called 'clave'. In this musical pattern, the strong beats become weak and the weak become strong.
It was then adapted into Spanish and in this language it was used to denote keystone. Later, it was taken into American Spanish. Clave is a cylindrical rod made of hardwood and is used as a percussion instrument. As an instrument, it is used in pairs. Even the two-bar musical pattern that is created by using 'clave' is called 'clave'. In this musical pattern, the strong beats become weak and the weak become strong.
