What is "clifts"

Usage examples of "clifts".

Their houses are digged round about with earth, and have from the uttermost brims of the circle, clifts of wood set upon them, joining close together at the top like a spire steeple, which by reason of that closeness are very warm.

On th'other side, they saw that perilous Rocke,Threatning it selfe on them to ruinate,On whose sharpe clifts the ribs of vessels broke,And shiuered ships, which had bene wrecked late,Yet stuck, with carkasses exanimateOf such, as hauing all their substance spentIn wanton ioyes, and lustes intemperate,Did afterwards make shipwracke violent,Both of their life, and fame for euer fowly blent.

Thenceforth they much more furiously gan fare,As if but then the battell had begonne,Ne helmets bright, ne hawberks strong did spare,That through the clifts the vermeil bloud out sponne,And all adowne their riuen sides did ronne.