Split, as with an axe (6)
I believe the answer is:
cleave
<span class="explanation-format__ClueExplanation">'<span class="explanation-format__original">split as with an axe</span>' is the definition.<br/ ><span class="explanation-format__explanation">(I've seen this before)</span><br/ ><br/ >This is all the clue.<br/ ></span>
(Other definitions for cleave that I've seen before include "Split apart - stick together" , "Split or cling to" , "Fissure" , "To separate and to adhere" , "Cut (with an axe?)" .)