“The tongue in a certain state will cleave to the roof”

Question

While looking for synonym comparison of “stick-cleave-adhere”, I came across this in English Synonyms Explained in Alphabetical Order:

To stick expresses more than to cleave, and cleave than adhere: things
  are made to stick either by incision into the substance, or through
  the intervention of some glutinous matter; they are made to cleave and
  adhere by the intervention of some foreign body: what sicks,
  therefore, becomes so fast joined as to render the bodies inseparable;
  what cleaves and adheres is less tightly bound, and more easily
  separable.
  
  Two pieces of clay will stick together by tho incorporation of the
  substance in the two parts; paper is made to stick to paper by means
  of glue: the tongue in a certain state will cleave to the roof: paste,
  or even occasional moisture, will make soft substances adhere to each
  other, or to hard bodies.

What does “the tongue in a certain state will cleave to the roof” mean?

MoondogsMaDawg · Accepted Answer

I think they are referring to a human tongue cleaving to the roof of the mouth under certain circumstances. Originally I suggested this occurring when making a "tsk" sound but was rightfully corrected that in such a case it would not be considered "cleaving" due to the absence of a foreign body.

Correct answer by MoondogsMaDawg on April 25, 2021

Patrick M · Answer

I think CobaltDuck has the context correct.

the tongue in a certain state will cleave to the roof of the mouth

Consider that with the cited definition of cleave:

[the tongue and the roof of the mouth] are made to cleave and adhere by the intervention of some foreign body

I think the author is driving at: "You can force the tongue upwards and make it cleave to the roof of the mouth, close your mouth tightly so you jaw forces them together, or lodging something under the tongue can force it to cleave to the roof of the mouth."

Michael Jacobs · Answer

I woke up in the middle of the night and my mouth was so dry I could not move my tongue from the roof of my mouth and hardly open my lips. I could not salivate until I had sucked some water though the slight gap in my lips and got everything working again. A most unpleasant experience.

Answered by Michael Jacobs on April 25, 2021

“The tongue in a certain state will cleave to the roof”

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