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How is the word "riven" (bold type) used in the context?

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fansy
 
Reply Fri 21 Aug, 2009 08:36 am
The following is quoted from Henry Kissinger's latest article (Washington Post, 19/8)
Quote:
America's great contribution in the 1950s was to take the lead in developing a set of institutions by which the Atlantic region could deal with unprecedented upheavals. A region hitherto riven by national rivalries found mechanisms to institutionalize a common destiny. Even though not all of these measures worked equally well, the end result was a far more benign world order.
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Type: Question • Score: 0 • Views: 593 • Replies: 6
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Setanta
 
  1  
Reply Fri 21 Aug, 2009 08:43 am
It means torn or broken apart. "A region--before that time--torn apart by national rivalries found mechanisms to institutionalize a common destiny."
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contrex
 
  2  
Reply Tue 25 Aug, 2009 01:00 am
@fansy,
Riven is the past participle of the verb rive "to tear, rend". It is considered a little old fashioned nowadays.
McTag
 
  1  
Reply Tue 25 Aug, 2009 02:56 am
@contrex,

And places with names like Ravenoak are originally named from the description of a "riven oak", a tree blasted apart by a lighning bolt.
Francis
 
  1  
Reply Tue 25 Aug, 2009 03:04 am
@McTag,
However, some folks up there (Ravenoak, Scotland) think otherwise:

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_k7m_iyLaidc/Sa9DuuckhzI/AAAAAAAAAEE/ni_KtLvP8ug/S220/Ravenoak+profile.gif
McTag
 
  1  
Reply Tue 25 Aug, 2009 07:23 am
@Francis,

A rebus? Can't always trust those, Franny.
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Setanta
 
  1  
Reply Tue 25 Aug, 2009 11:18 am
Uncle Rebus? I always liked those stories, but i think they're considered racist these days . . .
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